Resident arrested for illegal pornography
Published 12:00 am Saturday, February 12, 2000
Ronald C. Heartsill, 51, a resident of Butler County was arrested Tuesday, February 8, and charged with production of obscene matter and two counts of possession of obscene matter.
Authorities from Fort Deposit notified the Butler County Sheriff's Department when an individual reported that their child
allegedly had been solicited to make pornographic pictures.
After meeting with the victim, Chief Deputy Kenny Harden met with Assistant District Attorney Charlotte Tesmer to discuss the case and the BCSO obtained a search warrant.
Sheriff Diane Harris and the BCSO executed the search warrant at 4:25 p.m. Tuesday.
According to Harden, approximately 160 pictures, 36 video tapes, several rolls of 35mm film, cameras, camcorders and computers were seized as evidence in the case.
"The individuals involved in the photography were lured by house cleaning jobs; some were even under the assumption that this would lead to possible modeling jobs. Some of the individuals are adults but some are children," Harden said.
Harden said the computer was turned over to the FBI for further investigation. Heartsill appeared before District Judge Barry Branum Friday afternoon and bond was set at $336,000. As of press time on Friday, Heartsill was still an inmate at the Butler County Jail.
"There will be an extensive investigation because evidence leads us to believe this has been going on for several years. If anyone has any information regarding this case please contact the Butler County Sheriff's Department at 382-6521," Harris said.