Computer programmer arrested in child porn investigation

Michael Rex Sandberg, 26, of Saratoga Springs | Utah County Jail

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A computer programmer in Utah County has been arrested for investigation of possessing child pornography.

Michael Rex Sandberg, 26, of Saratoga Springs, was booked into the Utah County Jail on Tuesday for investigation of 20 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

The investigation began Aug, 31 when an investigator with the Internet Crimes Against Children task force discovered several files of suspected child pornography were being distributed over a peer-to-peer program.

The task force served a search warrant on Sandberg’s residence on Tuesday, including his basement bedroom, according to a police affidavit.

“Sandberg explained that he is well versed with computers in that he works as a freelance software programmer,” according to the affidavit. “On-scene forensics showed thousands of files of child pornography on Sandberg’s computer located in his bedroom.”

The images were of girls between the ages of 2 and 8, the affidavit states. In addition, agents found a “manikin-doll that appears to be a young female child” in the man’s bedroom, the affidavit states.

The task force has requested Sandberg be held without bail or a very high bail.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/34atZwd