FROM STAFF REPORTS

A 60-year-old Calera resident was arrested and charged for child pornography by the Shelby County Sheriff’s investigators Jan. 23.

The sheriff’s office opened an investigation following a victim’s complaint. As a result, a search warrant was served at Marvin Leigh Hancock’s residence, and investigators arrested Hancock, according to a press release from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s investigators charged him with possession with intent to disseminate obscene matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts. He was later charged with two additional counts of production of obscene matter containing visual depiction of a person under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts and two counts of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old. Hancock remains in the Shelby County Jail with bonds totaling $500,000, the release stated.

Sheriff Chris Curry would like to thank the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for its assistance with the investigation that led up to Hancock being charged.

“My heart goes out to the children and families who were victimized, and I will do everything within my power to help the district attorney prosecute this case,” Curry wrote in the press release.

According to the release, the investigation is still open and ongoing at this time.

Anyone with information about this crime is urged to contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office directly at 669-4181, through the secret witness line at 669-9116 or through the website at ShelbySO.com by clicking on the “Report Criminal Activity” link and choosing the “General Information” category.