An Independence man is facing a slate of felony charges after investigators say a search of his home turned up a cache of child sexual abuse material. Polk County prosecutors secured an indictment this week tied to the online images, and the suspect was brought into Polk County Circuit Court for arraignment early Thursday afternoon.
Eric Steven Spier, 40, was indicted on 10 counts of first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse, according to KGW. Court records show a Polk County grand jury handed up the charges and that Spier was then brought before a judge to enter an initial plea.
Charges And Penalties
Under Oregon law, encouraging child sexual abuse in the first degree is a Class B felony. The statute covers developing, duplicating or distributing visual recordings of sexually explicit conduct involving a child, and treats each act of duplication or dissemination as a separate offense. The crime carries significant sentencing exposure and is codified in state law. For the statute’s language, see the Oregon Revised Statutes.
Investigation
Citing court records, KGW reports that search warrants for Spier’s online accounts and electronic devices revealed numerous images of child sexual abuse and related material. The records also indicate that Spier has an extensive criminal history in Oregon, including a 2011 road-rage incident in which he reportedly fired a handgun and links to a string of burglaries in 2015, and that he has been charged and convicted in multiple unrelated cases in recent years.
Next Steps In Court
In a joint announcement, the Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children task force and the Polk County District Attorney’s Office said agents arrested Spier at his home while serving a search warrant, with assistance from the Oregon State Police and the Independence Police Department, per the release published by the state. The same announcement notes that a Polk County grand jury also approved two additional indictments tied to separate Internet Crimes Against Children investigations, and prosecutors plan to move those cases, along with Spier’s, through Polk County Circuit Court.
Why This Matters
The arrest comes as Oregon’s ICAC units report a sharp rise in online reports and cyber tips involving minors, which has put added pressure on digital-forensics teams across the state. A recent Oregon Department of Justice analysis documents a large increase in online solicitation and sextortion referrals in recent years, driving more investigations and prosecutions statewide; see the Oregon DOJ analysis for details.
Legal Process And Presumption Of Innocence
Spier remains presumed innocent while the case proceeds through the courts. If he is convicted, each count would be treated as a separate offense under Oregon law and could carry substantial prison exposure.
