Editor’s Note:  The Washington State Patrol has sent the Mountain News the following press release, announcing an arrest of a Graham resident in conjuntion with a child pornography investigation.

Taken in to custody was Teryle Smith, aged 43, and a man with that name lives in the 30000 block of 91st St in Graham.  Phone calls to an address listed to Mr. Smith were answered by a woman, who terminated the call after informing the Mountain News that she did not wish to offer a comment or explanation.

Below is the WSP announcement:

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SUSPECT ARRESTED IN CHILD PORN INVESTIGATION

-Detectives Seeking Additional Victims-

(Pierce County)  – Detectives from the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Missing and Exploited Children’s Task Force (MECTF) arrested a 43 year-old Graham resident Monday morning January 28, 2013 on allegations of Possession/Distribution of Child Pornography. 

 MCTEF detectives initiated the investigation in mid-January based on a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).  Detectives discovered the suspect had engaged in the trading of sexually explicit images and videos involving underage children.  The images depicted young girls ranging in age from 6 to 14 years old and were traded using email and social media accounts.

 Detectives traced the suspect to a residence in Graham.  A search warrant was executed early yesterday morning on the suspect’s vehicle and residence.  During the search, additional images and videos were located.  Teryle C. Smith, age 43, was arrested without incident and booked into the Pierce County Jail.  The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected

 Detectives have reason to believe, based on images discovered during the search warrant, that there are additional underage victims that have not been identified.  Detectives encourage anyone believing their child may have been victim of Mr. Smith to contact MECTF detectives at 360-704-2400.