Investigators are still going through items confiscated during a Tuesday morning raid at a Columbus residence during which officers seized what they report is child pornography.
Police offered little more information Wednesday about the details leading to a possession of child pornography charge against Noel Everett Sumrall, 66, of 811 Fifth Ave. N.
Columbus Police Department Investigator Natashea Coleman-Brown, who headed the investigation, said the Criminal Investigation Division received an anonymous tip that Sumrall was “possibly in possession” of child pornography. Coleman-Brown would not reveal more details about the anonymous tip — whether the unnamed source saw the items or knew Sumrall.
CPD Public Information Officer Terrie Songer said police received the tip last week.
Police then gathered enough information to obtain a search warrant, Coleman-Brown said. She again revealed little about what information investigators obtained to further the investigation.
“It was a combination of things,” she said. “I can’t reveal anything that will conflict with the investigation.”
Police are still investigating the case and have not finished looking through all items recovered, Coleman-Brown said. The items were removed from inside the residence and a storm shelter in the backyard. Police confiscated seven trunks filled with items, which police said included images and CDs of illegal material.
Police also confiscated a computer during the search, and Coleman-Brown said investigators will search the hard drive.
Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen said the items were images and included naked boys, girls, men and women.
Sumrall was reached by phone at his home Wednesday.
“I have obtained a lawyer, and he advised me not to make any statements, so I won’t be making any,” he said.
Sumrall was taken into custody Tuesday morning after officers from the CPD’s Criminal Investigation Division executed a search warrant at his residence.
An arrest report from the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center lists the Mississippi statute as exploitation of a child, which District Attorney Forrest Allgood said encompasses possession of child pornography. Allgood said the maximum sentence for exploitation of a child is 40 years imprisonment and up to a $500,000 fine. Sumrall was released Tuesday night on a $7,500 bond. His initial court date is Feb. 2.
Coleman-Brown said police believe Sumrall was the only person living at the residence. He is retired, and he and his family are from the area. A neighbor said Sumrall has lived at the residence for at least 30 years.
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