A Rhode Island man was arrested on Thanksgiving after police said he was caught with child pornography, an illegal gun, a machete, and large amounts of marijuana.
Zachary McCray of Newport was identified and arrested Thursday after police investigated a report they received of a video voyeurism as well as possession of child pornography.
In a statement posted to the Newport Police Department's social media, officers and detectives investigated the complaint and identified the location of McCray stating that he was believed to be armed with a semiautomatic pistol.
"Officers located the suspect driving a vehicle and initiated high risk car stop procedures. The suspect was safely and successfully detained. In his possession, the suspect was found with a large quantity of controlled substances, a machete, a 9mm semiautomatic pistol and large capacity magazines. The suspect was arrested and charged with numerous felonies," Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy said in a statement Thursday.
Newsweek has reached out to the Newport Police Department via email for comment.
McCray, 24, was charged with possession of child pornography, possession of marijuana (1 ounce or greater, first offense), possession of firearms by certain persons prohibited, license or permit required for carrying a pistol, possession of a firearm while delivering a controlled substance, and large capacity feeding device prohibited.
Following the arrest, Duffy took the time to thank the law enforcement officers on social media for their service on the holiday, adding that the officers contributed to the safety of Newport citizens.
"I would like to thank members of the Newport Police Department who are spending time away from their families this Thanksgiving to ensure quality police service to the citizens of Newport," Duffy said in a statement.
Although it is not known how long McCray may be sentenced if he's convicted, possession of child pornography is a 5-year felony under Rhode Island state law.
In the last few years, this offense has been vigorously pursued by the Rhode Island State Police computer crime unit and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Under state and federal law, possession of child pornography triggers the requirement to register as a sex offender.
McCray's arrest is only the latest in a growing list of child pornography possession offenders.
Earlier this month, a Texas Republican city council candidate faced felony child pornography charges after being arrested just hours before the elections.
Brad Benson, a candidate for Place #4 on the city council of Granbury, located just southwest of Fort Worth, was arrested on November 6. "I can confirm he was arrested by the District Attorney's Office yesterday and charged with two felony child pornography charges. He should have a bond set today," Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds previously told Newsweek.
Meanwhile in September, Oklahoma's top education official investigated one of the state's school districts for hiring a principal who was charged with alleged child pornography crimes over two decades ago, but was never convicted.
Shane Murnan was hired by the Western Heights School District (WHSD) in June to be the principal of John Glenn Elementary School, at which time district leadership noted on its Facebook page that it had become aware of his past charges.
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