Redmond man arrested in child pornography raid on his home; police ask public for info on possible child contacts
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Acting on information from law enforcement in another state, Redmond Police have raided a 40-year-old Redmond man’s home and arrested him on child pornography charges. They also are expressing concern about possible contacts with children and asking the public for any information.
Police executed a search warrant last Thursday and took Justin Allen Copeland without incident on charges of online sexual corruption of a child and encouraging child sexual abuse, Lt. Eric Beckwith said in a news release Wednesday.
"Evidence collected during the investigation and search of Copeland’s residence has raised concern regarding Copeland having contact or attempted contacts with children in the Redmond area," Beckwith wrote.
Anyone with information about Copeland that could assist in the investigation is urged to contact Detective Ben Halsey at RPD at 541-504-3475. "The case is active and has been referred to the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office," Beckwith said.
Copeland was arraigned last Friday on 10 initial charges – five counts each of first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse, a Class B felony, and five second-degree charges, a Class C felony, court records show. He is due back in court this Friday for arraignment on an expected grand jury indictment.
The DA's 10-count charging document indicates the child pornography incidents occurred on three dates last June and one last September.
Circuit Judge Wells Ashby set security at $100,000 for Copeland, who remained jailed Wednesday. The judge also ordered that if released he have "no possession or use of electronic devices capable of accessing the internet." He also is to "have no contact with any minors, male or female. Do not frequent places where minors regularly congregate."
Beckwith added, "The Redmond Police Department would like to thank the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) for their work to keep children safe."
