Previous Marijuana Bust Leads To Child Porn Charges

Edmonson Voice Staff
A man that was arrested back in May in a local marijuana bust, Howard Baird, 54, of Mohawk, is now facing child pornography charges after pornographic images of minors were discovered on his computers that were seized during the raid. 

Police said they obtained search warrants for two desktop computers in an attempt to gain further information of the marijuana growth operation. When officers began to search through the files, they reportedly discovered thousands of images of child porn, some of which they said were digitally altered to depict Baird in the images along with the minors.

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Howard Baird, 54, Mowhawk. (Hart Co. Jail)

Baird, who was out on bond for the prior drug charges, was re-arrested Friday afternoon and charged with Possessing/Viewing Matter Portraying a Sexual Performance By a Minor, and Distribution of Matter Portraying a Sexual Performance By a Minor, 1st offense. 

"No officer wants to work a case like this," said Deputy Wally Ritter. "Nevertheless, it's something that has to be dealt with." 

Sheriff Shane Doyle said his office pursues crimes against children to fullest extent. "There will be no tolerance or leniency for anyone committing these types of horrible crimes," he said. 

If found guilty, Baird faces up to 5 years in prison for each charge. 

The case is still under investigation and police said more charges are pending. 

The Edmonson County Sheriff's Office is being assisted by the Bowling Green Police Department as well as the Department of Homeland Security.

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