LOGAN — A 38-year-old Logan man has been arrested for allegedly sharing child pornography over the internet, according to law enforcement. Adam Gregory Skabelund was booked Tuesday into the Cache County Jail after officers raided his home while serving a search warrant.
According to an arrest affidavit, Logan City police began investigating Skabelund on May 3, after investigators traced several files of child pornography being shared on a peer-to-peer network. The video and photo depicted the sexual abuse and exploitation of three different children.
Police tracked the material to an IP address at Skabelund’s residence. They requested and later received a search warrant.
Tuesday, officers served the warrant to Skabelund’s home. After knocking and announcing loudly for several minutes, police reportedly forced themselves into the residence and located the suspect.
Officers found numerous cell phones, laptops, and PC computers. Several hard drives appeared to have been removed from a nearby PC tower and hidden under a mattress, the affidavit detailed.
Police questioned Skabelund, who acknowledged to hearing officers knocking and announcing themselves at the door. He reportedly confessed to removing the hard drives and attempting to hide them.
Investigators previewed the contents of the drives and discovered a large quantity of suspected child pornography. Some of the images and videos depicted young children being raped by adult men and women.
While searching the home, police also reported finding marijuana, and crushed up oxycodone and hydrocodone pills. A handgun was also located in a closet.
Skabelund was arraigned Wednesday afternoon in 1st District Court, appearing by web conference from jail. He was charged with three counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, a first-degree felony; 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony; along with possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony; and two misdemeanors for drug possession. The charges carry a maximum sentence of up to life in prison.
According to court records, Judge Brian Cannell ordered Skabelund to be held temporarily without bail and appear again in court May 24.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.