Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin released a statement following the arrest of Austin Norris, 28, of Watts, Oklahoma, on a federal charge of receiving or distributing material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor.
“This arrest stems from an investigation by my office that began with a tip to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. A special agent from my office investigating the case is also a task force officer with Homeland Security Investigations and worked with federal authorities to arrest Norris, who recently moved from Arkansas to Oklahoma,” Griffin stated.
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Griffin expressed gratitude for the collaboration of multiple agencies, saying, “I offer my thanks to agents with HSI Fayetteville and HSI Tulsa, and troopers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for working with my office’s Special Investigations Division on this arrest. It takes a team effort to fight the reprehensible crime of sexually exploiting our children.”
Norris was arrested on September 9 under a federal warrant for violating 18 U.S.C. § 2252(A)(2), which pertains to activities related to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors. Authorities also executed a search warrant at his residence and seized digital devices as part of the investigation.
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Norris is currently being held without bond in the Tulsa County jail. He will be transferred to the U.S. Marshals Service and transported to federal court in Little Rock for further proceedings.
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