JASPER COUNTY, Texas — A disturbing case is unfolding in Jasper County, where the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a local man accused of downloading and accessing child pornography. Authorities confirmed that 27-year-old Herman Landry was taken into custody this week following an investigation into illicit online activity.
According to Sheriff Mitchel Newman, the arrest came after investigators with the sheriff’s office received a cyber tip from a national child exploitation watchdog group. The tip led authorities to a device allegedly linked to Landry, which had been used to download and access sexually explicit material involving minors. Acting on this information, law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for Landry’s residence.
During the execution of the warrant, digital forensic investigators reportedly seized multiple electronic devices, including a computer and smartphone, which were taken for analysis. Preliminary examinations of those devices revealed explicit images and videos of child sexual abuse, prompting immediate charges against Landry.
He was arrested without incident and is currently being held in the Jasper County Jail. The official charge is possession of child pornography, a third-degree felony in Texas, though investigators say additional charges may follow as they continue to review the digital evidence.
“This type of crime is one of the most heinous we deal with,” said Sheriff Newman. “Our investigators are working tirelessly to identify the origins of the material and determine whether any further criminal activity occurred. Protecting children from exploitation and abuse is one of our highest priorities.”
The sheriff’s office is also collaborating with federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, to trace the content and determine whether any of the victims in the files have been identified in other investigations nationwide.
Authorities have emphasized that at this stage, there is no evidence that Landry had direct contact with any minors or created any of the material himself, though the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Landry’s bond has not yet been set, and he is expected to appear before a magistrate judge in the coming days. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison per count, registration as a sex offender, and a lifetime of post-release restrictions.
The case serves as a reminder of the persistent efforts of law enforcement to combat the online exploitation of children. Officials are urging parents to be vigilant about their children’s internet use and to report any suspicious behavior or content to authorities.
Anyone with additional information related to this case or similar activity is encouraged to contact the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office or submit a tip through the Texas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force