Child porn inquiry leads to molester on Whidbey, police say

A Homeland Security investigation into the distribution of child pornography led to the arrest of a Clinton man for allegedly molesting a child, according to court documents.

Investigators are analyzing thousands of images and videos of suspected child pornography, including some that may involve the victim in the case, according to a police report.

A judge in Island County Superior Court ordered Jeffrey C. McCord, 31, held on $150,000 bail April 29.

On May 1, prosecutors charged him with one count of child molestation in the first degree for allegedly molesting a child who was less than 12 years old.

The investigative report by Lt. Mike Hawley with the Island County Sheriff’s Office explains that the agents with the Department of Homeland Security uncovered evidence that groups of people were exchanging child porn through the Kik messaging app. Investigators found that McCord uploaded files of child pornography to other members of one of the Kik groups, according to Hawley’s report.

On April 19, Homeland Security agents and a Bellingham Police detective who was working with them served a search warrant on McCord’s home in Clinton. McCord allegedly confessed to having child pornography on his phone, the report states.

During the investigation, a child disclosed that McCord had molested her, Hawley wrote. McCord denied it.

Examination of electronic devices found at McCord’s house will take several weeks, Hawley wrote. Any child pornography charges will likely be handled in federal court, according to the prosecutor’s office.