BATESVILLE, Ark. — A coworker who borrowed a cellphone to photograph trailers at work discovered suspected child sexual abuse material, prompting a police investigation into Christopher George Davis, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Davis, 54, is accused of 28 felony counts involving the material. His bond was set at $200,000 in Independence County Circuit Court.
The affidavit lists 28 counts of pandering or possessing visual or print medium depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, each a Class C felony.
According to the affidavit, Batesville police were contacted Aug. 21 after an employee at Ozark Mountain Poultry borrowed a phone from Davis, a coworker, to take photographs during checks of trailers at the workplace.
While checking the phone’s photo gallery for the work pictures, the employee reported finding multiple images of suspected child sexual abuse. The employee notified a supervisor and contacted police, the affidavit states.
An officer took possession of the phone and learned Davis had an active warrant through the Independence County Sheriff’s Office. Davis was arrested on that warrant, and police seized a second phone he produced, according to the affidavit. The document does not identify the underlying offense associated with the existing warrant.
During an Aug. 26 interview, Davis was advised of his rights and agreed to speak with an investigator, the affidavit states. Investigators allege Davis said he had used Telegram to obtain links to the material and had both sent and received it.
Davis also allegedly said he had been viewing the material for about two years and believed there were more than 100 such images on his phones, according to the affidavit.
Investigators obtained search warrants for three phones belonging to Davis. The affidavit reports finding child sexual abuse material on two of them and none on the third. One phone could not be downloaded and was searched manually, the document states.
A judge signed a finding of probable cause Sept. 16.
The bond order prohibits Davis from approaching or communicating with any victim or witness. It also requires him to remain within the 16th Judicial District unless the court grants prior permission, along with other release conditions.
The records reviewed for this report do not establish whether Davis has posted bond or identify his next court date.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
READ MORE: Court Case
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