Child Exploitation Suspect Connected To Tuscaloosa Case

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A South Carolina man has been arrested on 19 charges connected to exploitation of minors, including at least one known case in Tuscaloosa.

The Tuscaloosa Police Department confirmed the local case on Tuesday, which is being investigated by its Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

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South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson on Tuesday announced the arrest of Jonathan David Neel, 23, of Fairfield, South Carolina. Wilson's office said investigators received a tip that led them to Neel, who is accused of soliciting a minor for sex, encouraging them to produce child sexual abuse material, distributing child sexual abuse material, possessing child sexual abuse material, and distributing nude images to a minor.

Neel is formally charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor; three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, second degree; eight counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, third degree and one count of disseminating obscene material to a person under 18.

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