CORNELIUS, N.C. (DDN) – According to the Cornelius Police Department, an 18-year-old guy was released to his parents rather than granted a bond after being charged with 10 felony counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
The charges stem from a criminal investigation into the distribution of child pornography. Brett Gerald Kimbrell, a teenager, was accused of spreading numerous photos of young girls.
According to warrants filed with the Mecklenburg County Court, at least one of the victims in the photographs appeared to be between the ages of four and six years old, with others ranging in age from five to fifteen years old. According to court filings, at least one of the items swapped was a movie, and another was a collage of young girls who had been sexually molested.
An affidavit submitted in court in connection with Kimbrell’s arrest stated that Cornelius Police received a report from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force stating that many files were uploaded and forwarded to other “unknown subjects” using the “Kik” messaging application.
Authorities eventually sought search warrants for IP addresses at two Cornelius addresses linked to some of the activities, claiming they were able to link the case to Kimbrell.
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On Friday, January 10, officers searched Kimbrell’s residence after getting a report that someone may have child pornography. Electronic gadgets were seized during the search.
During an appearance Friday, the Mecklenburg County Magistrate’s Office ordered that Kimbrell be released to his parents’ care rather than being granted a bond.
Cornelius Police were highly critical of the decision, stating in a social media post that Kimbrell should have been granted a release.
“Given the serious nature of these charges, which involve the safety and well-being of children, we find this decision troubling and concerning,” the police wrote to Cornelius. “The release of this defendant, especially under such circumstances, undermines the gravity of the situation and raises significant concerns about the risk to public safety, particularly the safety of minors in the community.”
Police went on to explain that they strongly feel Kimbrell should remain in prison to send a lesson to other perpetrators.
Cornelius Police investigators from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Computer Crimes Unit both collaborated on this case.
If you have any knowledge about the exploitation or abuse of minors, please come forward. You can reach Cornelius Police at 704-892-7773. You can also leave an anonymous tip with North Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers at 704-896-7867 or northmeckcrimestoppers.org.
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