By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
EL RENO – A Yukon man faces life in prison and fines totaling $30,000 for allegedly having a large quantity of child pornography images on several electronic devices.
Joseph Anthony Elmenhorst, 39, was charged April 28 in Canadian County District Court with three counts of aggravated possession of child pornography.
Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Boyer alleges Elmenhorst had in his possession “100 or more separate materials, representations or depictions in any form or medium” of child pornography on each of three devices – an Apple iPhone, computer hard drive and thumb drive.
The obscene material is described as “minor(s) portrayed, depicted or represented as engaging” in sexual activity, according to the charging document.
Each felony count is punishable by not more than life in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine.
Elmenhorst was booked at 5:21 p.m. April 21 into the Canadian County Jail after his arrest in an undercover investigation by the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office.
GOT THE PASSCODES
Investigators had served a search warrant that morning at Elmenhorst’s home on Kingsgate Road in Yukon.
The defendant provided Sgt. Brian Dawson with passcodes to his cell phone and desktop computer, according to a probable cause affidavit.
“When asked specifically about inappropriate images of children, Elmenhorst stated ‘you’re going to find them anyway’ and that they would be on both his desktop PC and cell phone,” Dawson wrote in his affidavit.
“Well over 100 images of child pornography” were found inside a “hidden” folder in the photos section of the Elemenhorst’s iPhone, the court document indicates.
Sheriff’s investigators allegedly located illegal marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia during a search of Elmenhorst’s room at the house.
A preliminary hearing conference is set May 17 before Canadian County Special Judge David H. Halley.
