A Tennessee police officer was arrested on Monday on child pornography charges involving a 5-year-old girl.
Police in Scott County, Virginia, received a tip about a minor sending explicit photos online. An investigation revealed that Knoxville police officer Dan Roark, 47, had correspondence with that juvenile and their mother, according to WATE.
The victim’s mother was arrested on Saturday in Scott County. The mother allegedly claimed she met Roark on Yahoo in 2007, and investigators said she did not know Roark’s real name.
“At some point during the relationship, Roark requested (Victim’s mother) take CSAM (child sexual abuse material) pictures of her now ten (10) year old daughter. Evidence shows that these images were produced as early as age five (5) or six (6),” court documents stated, according to WVLT.
Roark allegedly paid the victim’s mother for the explicit images of her daughter.
Roark last served on patrol in October 2020. His duties have been suspended in light of his arrest.
Roark and the victim’s mother are charged with producing child pornography. WVLT reported that Roark appeared in court regarding the charges.
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[Featured image: Dan Roark/Knoxville Police Department]
