{"id":3819,"date":"2025-12-19T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/?p=3819"},"modified":"2025-12-18T10:17:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T16:17:40","slug":"trf-man-charged-in-child-porn-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/trf-man-charged-in-child-porn-case\/","title":{"rendered":"TRF Man Charged In Child Porn Case"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thief River Falls<\/strong> (trfnews.i234.me<\/a>) \u2014 A Thief River Falls man is charged in Pennington County District Court.<\/p>\n

The charge follows a report tied to a Snapchat account.<\/p>\n

Bryton Shawn Charles<\/strong>, 32, is charged with a felony count.<\/p>\n

It alleges possession of pornographic work involving minors under age 14.<\/p>\n

The case remains open.<\/p>\n

The charge is an allegation.<\/p>\n

\"Bryton
Bryton Shawn Charles Mugshot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How the case started<\/h2>\n
<\/figure>\n

Court records say police received an Internet Crimes Against Children CyberTip on Tuesday, Dec. 9.<\/p>\n

Snapchat reported that apparent child sexual abuse material was detected on an account, the complaint says.<\/p>\n

The tip said three files were uploaded.<\/p>\n

Investigators traced the internet address linked to the uploads, the complaint says.<\/p>\n

They obtained subscriber records through a subpoena.<\/p>\n

Those records linked the address to an account tied to Charles, the complaint says.<\/p>\n

Investigators also linked the address to a home tied to him.<\/p>\n

The complaint does not name any child victims.<\/p>\n

Authorities say the files showed sexual exploitation of children.<\/p>\n

Search warrant and devices seized<\/h2>\n

On Wednesday, Dec. 10, an investigator sent preservation requests and subpoenas to Google LLC, the complaint says.<\/p>\n

The request sought data tied to email accounts linked to the Snapchat username.<\/p>\n

Investigators also reviewed account recovery information, the complaint says.<\/p>\n

On Friday, Dec. 12, authorities executed a search warrant at Charles\u2019 residence.<\/p>\n

They seized electronic devices for review, the complaint says.<\/p>\n

The seized items included iPhones, USB drives, an Apple Watch, and a Nintendo Switch.<\/p>\n

What Charles told investigators<\/h2>\n

Charles told investigators he once used a Snapchat account tied to the username, the complaint says.<\/p>\n

He said he later lost access to that account.<\/p>\n

He said an email claimed the account was hacked.<\/p>\n

He also said the account violated Snapchat rules, the complaint says.<\/p>\n

Charles denied uploading the files, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n

He said the content \u201cgave him the creeps,\u201d the complaint states.<\/p>\n

He said he had seen similar content while scrolling on Reddit.<\/p>\n

He said he reported it.<\/p>\n

The complaint says Charles later stated he had the files on a phone.<\/p>\n

He said he tried to send them to another device.<\/p>\n

He said he wanted to show them to law enforcement.<\/p>\n

The complaint says he understood the material should not be kept.<\/p>\n

Anyone charged is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.<\/p>\n

Resources<\/h2>\n