Student arrested on child pornography charges

Sophomore Jacob Hutchison was arrested Wednesday in his dorm at Smith Hall

The Abilene Police Department Cyber Crimes unit, alongside ACUPD, arrested Jacob Hutchison for Second Degree Felony Distribution of Child Pornography and Third Degree Felony Possession of Child Pornography.

Hutchison, a sophomore nursing major, targeted social media apps popular with teens such as KiK, TikToc, SnapChat and Dropbox for distribution, according to a police report issued on January 16. He was also found to be in possession of videos containing child pornography.

“Detectives with the Cyber Crimes Unit received information that led them to believe a subject in Abilene was distributing child pornography. Detectives worked closely with the ACU Police Department to identify the subject and to develop a safe plan to apprehend him,” said Rick Tomlin, Public Information Coordinator, in the press release.

Both departments were investigating for about three weeks when they discovered that images of child pornography were being accessed through various social media sites by someone using an ACU IP address, according to ACUPD Police Chief Jimmy Ellison.

“ACUPD worked diligently to determine the source of the web usage and the person responsible,” Ellison said. “Once that information was developed, we continued to work with APD Cyber Crimes and assisted them with the case as it developed. We appreciate their assistance and partnership as we all work to keep our communities safe. ACU administrators were made aware of the arrest and charges, and will be immediately reviewing Hutchison’s status at ACU.”

Hutchison was taken into custody in his dorm room at Smith Hall, said Ellison.