A Centralia man had more than 3,000 sexually explicit images of minors on his phone, according to authorities tasked with investigating child pornography cases.
Joshua S. Charlton, 35, was charged July 26 with second-degree possession of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
According to a probable cause affidavit, agents from the Homeland Security Investigations office based in Tacoma “completed subscriber warrants for several cases and then tasked Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF) with conducting an investigation into P2P file downloading.”
The investigation led to an address on Seward Avenue in Centralia.
In May, Washington State Patrol assisted the MECTF in executing a search warrant at the residence.
“A room was attached to the main residence but appeared to be a separate living space, which had an open bedroom to the living area, a bathroom and utility area,” read court documents.
Authorities allegedly found items in the room with Charlton’s name on them, and named him as the owner of a cell phone which was seized. Detectives conducted a “logical extraction” and found 3,264 images on the phone “and all but 40 are images of minors engaged in sexually explicit content.”
Charlton appeared out of custody to a preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court Wednesday afternoon, where he was placed on a $10,000 unsecured bond, in accordance to a recommendation from the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office, meaning he will remain out of custody unless he fails to appear to future hearings.
Judge Joely O’Rourke called the allegations “concerning” but said that since Charlton appeared to the hearing when summoned, and had no recent criminal history, she would allow for a bail that allowed for his continued release.
Additionally, O’Rourke ordered Charlton stay away from minors and places minors typically congregate, and refrain from internet use.
