Booneville Boys & Girls Club Employee Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

A twenty year old man from Booneville has been arrested after being accused of possessing and sending child pornography.

According to WTVA, an FBI agent stated that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported that child pornography was being uploaded to the internet in June and July.

After law enforcement officers obtained a warrant to locate the source of the uploads, they were able to locate Austin Thompson.

The FBI agent stated that he did not know until last week that Thompson was an employee at Boys and Girls Club in Booneville.

A federal affidavit revealed that Thompson had previously admitted to having a problem with child pornography, but had been afraid to seek out help.

According to the affidavit, the agent said that two years ago, the agent and another investigator spoke with Thompson, who admitted he had both looked at and sent child porn. The law enforcement officers spoke with him about how his actions were illegal, but there is no indication that he was charged with a crime or arrested at the time.

According to WTVA, the Booneville Boys and Girls Club conducted a background check on Thompson and found nothing that would prohibit his employment with the organization.

The organization also stated that Thompson had never worked alone with children, and was always with another adult. Thompson was fired as soon as the Boys & Girls Club was made aware of the charges.

Thompson has been charged with possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materials.