Mt. Vernon man arrested on child pornography charge

MT. VERNON, Ill., (KBSI) — Dakota R. Martin, 21, was arrested at his home Thursday by Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies on a warrant charging possession of child pornography.

Martin was taken to the Jefferson County Jail ahead of his pre-trial detention hearing. The arrest stemmed from an investigation initiated by a cybertip received through the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force on Nov. 21, 2024.

The tip led to multiple search warrants for social media and internet records, as well as a warrant for Martin’s residence, which was served on Jan. 29. Electronic devices were collected for further examination, and the investigation’s findings were turned over to the state’s attorney’s office for felony review.

Martin is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.