Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON — Local police took a 36-year-old Hutchinson man into custody Thursday morning after they searched his residence and seized a computer where he allegedly had downloaded child pornography videos.

Hutchinson Police Detective Scott Carlton said he’s been investigating Tad Darcy Russell for several months. Russell is alleged to have downloaded the videos from a file sharing program called “Peer to Peer.”

Carlton said officers served a search warrant on his Hutchinson home Tuesday and seized his computer. He said the videos, some an hour in length, involved children as young as 6 years of age.

Russell faces the charge of sexual exploitation of a child. Because of the age of the victims, the charge most likely will be filed as a Jessica’s Law case, which means if Russell is convicted, he could see a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.

His bond is set at $10,000, and he is expected to make an appearance in court on Friday.