Arkansas’ Child Porn Crackdown Nabs Alleged Offender in Oklahoma

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin issued a statement on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, announcing the arrest of Austin Norris, 28, of Watts, Oklahoma. Norris faces a federal charge for receiving or distributing material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. 

The investigation that led to Norris’ arrest was initiated by a tip to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). Attorney General Griffin’s office, working in collaboration with federal authorities, played a pivotal role in bringing the case forward. A special agent from the Griffin's office, who is also a task force officer with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), conducted the investigation alongside federal partners. Norris had recently relocated from Arkansas to Oklahoma.

“We are deeply committed to fighting the horrific crime of child sexual exploitation. I want to extend my gratitude to the agents from HSI Fayetteville and HSI Tulsa, as well as the troopers from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, for their cooperation with our Special Investigations Division,” said Griffin. “It truly takes a collaborative effort to confront the exploitation of children.”

Norris was arrested on September 9 under a federal arrest warrant for violating 18 U.S.C. § 2252(A)(2), which pertains to offenses involving material related to the sexual exploitation of minors. During the arrest, a search warrant was served at his residence, and several digital devices were seized as part of the ongoing investigation.

Currently, Norris is being held without bond at the Tulsa County jail and is expected to be transferred to the U.S. Marshals Service and transported to federal court in Little Rock to face the charges.

For more details about the Arkansas AG Office or this report, click here.

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