A joint investigation between the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation- Richmond Field Office, and the Northern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force has led to an arrest in a child pornography case.

Last year, Detective T.S. Martin, with the assistance of FBI and ICAC investigators, began an investigation into 23-year-old Michael Byers. Byers was suspected of uploading child pornography to digital messaging services. Byers also shared photos of children during conversations with law enforcement agents who were conducting an undercover operation through a digital messaging service. Byers’ conversations were explicit in nature. It was later determined some of the photos Byers had shared were captured in the homes of customers while he was conducting work as a local cable company employee.

On March 16, investigators executed a search warrant at Byers’ home in Fredericksburg. Investigators located and seized evidence of possession, reproduction, and distribution of child pornography. Among the evidence were pornographic images and videos depicting young children.

Detective Martin obtained warrants for Byers’ arrest and he has since turned himself in. Byers is charged with ten counts of possession of child pornography. He is being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.