Ricky G. Rothenberger, 46, of Cave City was arrested Wednesday
following an investigation by the Cyber Crimes Unit of the
Attorney General’s Office. Sharp County Circuit Judge Harold
Erwin found probable cause to charge Rothenberger with 20 counts
of distributing, possessing, or viewing matter depicting
sexually explicit conduct involving a child, a Class C felony.
Rothenberger was being held in the Sharp County Detention Center
in lieu of $100,000 bond.
“Our office is committed to protecting Arkansas children and
families by investigating and arresting those who traffic in
child pornography,” McDaniel said. “This arrest should send a
message to anyone across the state that law enforcement will not
tolerate crimes against children perpetrated on the Internet. We
look forward to presenting the evidence in this case to a jury.”
Rothenberger was arrested after a forensic examination of
electronic evidence seized from his home indicated that he was
in possession of nearly 300 images of child pornography. The
evidence, including a desktop computer, was seized in October
when agents from the Attorney General’s Office executed a search
warrant at Rothenberger’s residence, 311 Charleston, Lot No. 8,
in Cave City. The evidence was analyzed at the Cyber Crimes Unit
Forensic Lab in Little Rock.
Special Agent Chad Meli of the Attorney General’s Office began
investigating Rothenberger in October, after suspecting that
child pornography was being possessed at Rothenberger’s address.
The Sharp County Sheriff’s Office and Cave City Police
Department assisted in the execution of the search warrant.
Third Judicial District Prosecutor Henry Boyce appointed
Assistant Attorney General Bart Dickinson as a special
prosecutor in the case.
“I appreciate the hard work of Mr. Boyce, the Sharp County
Sheriff’s Office and the Cave City Police Department for their
hard work and assistance in this investigation,” McDaniel said.
Charges are merely accusations and a defendant is presumed
innocent unless and until proven guilty.
KDQN