A 26-year-old Edmond man is facing a slate of child exploitation charges after an Internet Crimes Against Children investigation that police say uncovered victims in multiple states. Authorities arrested the suspect on April 23 and booked him into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on counts that include possession of child sexual abuse material, solicitation of minors and lewd acts. Detectives say the probe is still active as they work to identify additional victims.
In a press release via Edmond Police Department, investigators identified the suspect as Noah Russell Ashford and said he faces one count of possession of child sexual abuse material, three counts of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor, one count of violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act and three counts of lewd acts with a child under 16. The release notes that Ashford, born Jan. 25, 2000, was booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on April 23 and that the case has been assigned number 2026-20701. The department credited investigative assistance from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, the Boone County Child Abuse and Sexual Exploitation Task Force and the U.S. Marshals Service.
"The investigation is ongoing and detectives are working to identify all potential victims," the release said via Edmond Police Department. The department said its ICAC detectives first received information from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office in February, and that follow-up work uncovered alleged victims in Lebanon, Indiana, and Oklahoma City. Investigators encouraged anyone with information to contact detectives as the probe continues.
Investigation crossed state lines
According to Edmond police, the case started with an out-of-state tip and quickly widened, pulling in multiple agencies as online leads pointed to possible victims beyond Oklahoma. In Indiana, Boone County's Child Abuse and Sexual Exploitation (CASE) Task Force is the local multi-agency team that handles internet-based exploitation investigations and regularly coordinates with state and federal partners on cross-jurisdiction cases. Boone County CASE Task Force provides investigative support and forensic resources for those efforts.
Legal process and penalties
Ashford is charged under state law with counts that include possession of child sexual abuse material and solicitation of minors, offenses that carry significant penalties if prosecuted and convicted. Oklahoma's Computer Crimes Act criminalizes using a computer to commit or facilitate certain crimes and provides felony penalties for willful violations. For the statute's prohibitions and potential penalties, see 21 O.S. § 1953.
What officials are asking
The Edmond Police Department asks anyone with information about this investigation or who believes they may have been contacted by the suspect to call Detective Sgt. Jason Kushmaul at 405-359-4639. Members of the public can also report suspected online child exploitation to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline. NCMEC CyberTipline operates 24/7 and routes tips to ICAC task forces nationwide.
