RACINE, Wis. — Ernesto Roman, an 18-year-old man from the city of Racine, has been arrested and charged with six counts of possession of child pornography.
His arrest was made with the help of a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Sheriff’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit, according to the Racine County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff's office said investigators received a tip that Roman uploaded “child sexual abuse material” to his WhatsApp account.
On Tuesday, April 14, investigators searched Roman's home, where they confiscated numerous electronic devices that are being forensically examined.
Roman was arrested and taken to the Racine County Jail. He made an initial court appearance on Wednesday, April 16, where his cash bond was set at $25,000, according to court records.
In an interview with investigators, Roman allegedly stated that he was sent the child sexual abuse material, however, the sheriff's office said his statement was inconsistent with the tip they received.
He is scheduled to appear in court on April 23 for a preliminary hearing.
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