A 53-year-old man from Carrollton, Texas, has been arrested on Monday morning for possessing nearly one million images of child sexual abuse material. Joseph Wayne Clifford is facing 10 felony charges, including possession, reproduction, distribution, solicitation, and facilitation of child pornography. The arrest follows an extensive investigation by the Carrollton Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
According to law enforcement officials, the investigation began after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. A search warrant was executed at Clifford’s residence, where authorities discovered a substantial collection of illicit images and videos. The materials were reportedly stored across multiple digital devices and cloud storage accounts.
Clifford was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held at the Carrollton City Jail. His bail has been set at $500,000. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 100 years in prison. The case has been referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for potential federal prosecution, as the distribution of such materials often crosses state lines.
This arrest underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat the proliferation of child sexual abuse material online. Authorities continue to encourage the public to report any suspicious activity related to child exploitation. The Carrollton Police Department has provided contact information for individuals who may have information pertinent to the case.
The investigation remains active, and law enforcement officials are urging anyone with additional information to come forward. The Carrollton Police Department can be reached at [phone number], and tips can be submitted anonymously through their website.
This case serves as a reminder of the critical role that community vigilance and reporting play in protecting children from exploitation and abuse.