Jeffery Dale Hunt
FLORENCE-The Florence Police Department was notified today that the Lauderdale County Grand Jury has returned an indictment against Jeffery Dale Hunt, 48, of 243 Wilson Avenue, Florence, AL. The indictment charges Hunt with 1,996 counts of Unlawful Possession of Child Pornography and 295 counts of Unlawful Production of Child Pornography.
This case is the culmination of a 3 month investigation into the alleged exploitation of children by Jeffery Hunt.
In December of 2016, Detective Drew Harless with the Florence Police Department received a ‘cyber-tip’ involving the unlawful dissemination of child pornography. That tip led to a search warrant being issued and executed at the home of Jeffery Hunt. Items collected in the execution of the warrant were forensically tested with the assistance of the Alabama Department of Revenue Digital Forensics group and revealed evidence that Mr. Hunt was in possession of child pornography and was actively producing child pornography in his home.
Through the investigation of these crimes it has been found that several of the child victims are from the local area. These exploited children are all under the age of 12. The Florence Police Department is working closely with child service organizations to insure that services are provided to the children in this case.
In December of 2016 the Florence Police Department joined the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Through this partnership with law enforcement agencies throughout the state, detectives receive ‘tips’ on illicit activity involving the exploitation of children. This case highlights the importance of the task force.
Unlawful Possession of Child Pornography is a Class C felony, punishable by incarceration of 1 year and 1 day to 10 years in prison.
Production of Child Pornography is a Class A felony, punishable by incarceration of 10 years to life in prison.
This case is one of several high profile investigations conducted by Florence Police Department detectives over the last 6 months. Each case involved the exploitation and sexual abuse of children. It is clear that there are predators among us in this digital world that we live in. The Florence Police Department, through partnerships like ICAC, continues to invest resources in seeking out, investigating, and arresting those who chose to prey on our children.
Our message is clear. If you engage in the exploitation of children; We will seek you out, We will bring you to justice, We will protect our children.
Mr. Hunt was arrested within the last hour and has a bond set at $500,000 (cash only). He is currently in the Lauderdale County Detention Center.
Media Release/Florence Police Department
