A 29 year old Carmi man, Andrew Patrick Horne, is being held without bond in the White County Jail on Felony charges of Distribution of Child Pornography and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Tuesday morning, Carmi Police and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant at 225 Steven Street, Apartment E in Carmi in reference to a lengthy investigation into distribution of child pornography. Electronics, including a Smartphone, two USB drives, a flip phone, and several photos, were seized from the residence for forensic analysis. The investigation is on-going. Horne had a first appearance in White County Court yesterday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, November 27th at 10:00 AM before Judge T. Scott Webb.
This case, along with the sex offense case a couple of weeks ago on Charles Pugh, was initiated by the Carmi Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Officer. Police Chief Jason Carter says the Carmi Police Department is fortunate to have an Officer assigned to the ICAC task force since early 2018. Being a small Department and the only agency in White County with 24 hour coverage, Carter says he prides himself and his Department on their ability to be active in the community and bring as many resources as possible in order to combat crimes of all levels here in our community. The Carmi Police Department is able to do all of the specialized assignments because of dedication to ensuring a safe community.