William Howard ‘Pete’ Wesson
FLORENCE-The Florence Police Department issued a statement on the arrest of a suspect on Thursday, January 25 on charges of Possession and Obscene matter containing visual depiction of person under 17 years of age (77 counts) and One count Dissemination or public display of obscene matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts:
“In 2016, the Florence Police Department was contacted by the US Department of Homeland Security Investigations team regarding possible child pornography being in the possession of Mr. William Howard ‘Pete’ Wesson, 65, of Florence. After consulting with these federal agents, a search warrant was executed at his home and a large quantity of electronic media storage devices were seized and analyzed. The result of this investigation was seizure of 55 videos depicting children, under the age of 17, engaged in obscene acts in violation of state code 13A-12-192.
A search warrant was executed on the devices themselves to see if other items were on them. This process was completed and other items were found that led to additional charges being presented to the Lauderdale Grand Jury. The Grand Jury indicted Mr. Wesson on 77 counts of Possession and Obscene Matter Containing Visual Depiction of Persons Under 17 Years of Age involved in Obscene Acts, Class C Felony, 77 counts of Production of obscene matter containing visual depiction of person under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts, Class A felony, and 1 count of Dissemination or public display of obscene matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts, Class B felony.
The evidence in this case does not indicate that any of the children are from this area. Mr. Wesson was arrested at his home on January 25, 2018. He is currently in the Lauderdale County Detention Center with a $5,000,000 bond.
If you, or anyone you know, has any information that can assist with this investigation, please contact Detective Drew Harless at (256) 760-6559 or text a tip to 274637 using keyword “FPDTIP”, plus the message.”
