Man Faces Felony Charges Connected To Computer Child Pornography

FAYETTEVILLE — A man from southwest Washington County faces 12 felony charges in connection with child pornography, according to a news release from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Fran-cis Joseph “Joe” McCourt, 64, of 15291 Brown Road, Prairie Grove, is charged with 10 counts of possession of computer child pornography, one count of computer exploitation of a child and one count of distributing, possessing or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, the news release states.

The sheriff ’s Criminal Investigations Department reported that it executed a search warrant at McCourt’s residence on March 13 regarding a child pornography investigation. Sheriff ’s spokeswoman Kelly Cantrell said the investigation was initiated by a tip to the Arkansas State Police hotline.

Upon searching the house, investigators found images and other articles of child pornography and seized several computers, hard drives, data media and actual photographs.

The release states that McCourt admitted during the investigation that he downloaded naked photos of children from an internet website.

According to the release, detectives also found and seized 49 guns from McCourt’s house that are in violation of a felony conviction from North Dakota.

The judgment from North Dakota showed that McCourt was convicted of felony stolen property.

The investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected, the news release states.

McCourt was booked into the county detention center on March 13. According to the sheriff’s website, bond was set at $15,000. McCourt has an April 12 circuit court date.

McCourt