LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office says a Tennessee man was arrested as part of an undercover internet child exploitation operation.
LCSO said James Mark Eddy, 54, of Loretto, Tennessee, is charged with transmitting obscene material to a child by computer and electronic solicitation of a child after an undercover operation by the sheriff’s office’s special operations unit.
According to the sheriff’s office, Eddy contacted investigators via social media. LCSO said Eddy believed he was contacting an underage boy, but the account was actually operated by investigators. The sheriff’s office said during an exchange with the investigators, Eddy sent sexually explicit material and solicited child sex abuse material.
LCSO said on Monday, Eddy was at a business on North Jefferson Street in Athens. When he left the business, authorities said he was taken into custody without incident. The sheriff’s office said he is currently being held at the Limestone County Detention Facility and his bond will be determined at a later date.
Authorities said investigators believe, based on additional evidence recovered at the time of his arrest, that Eddy may have been in contact with multiple minors across the country.
“This arrest is yet another reminder of the very real dangers that exist online and the importance of proactive law enforcement,” Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin said. “Our Special Operations Investigators work tirelessly, often through the night, to keep this community safe. We are dedicated to protecting children and holding predators accountable, no matter where they are. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to ensure the safety of our community.”
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to contact the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office.
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