August 15, 2024
ECPD Press Release
On August 14, 2024, the Elk City Police Department, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Erick Police Department, executed a search warrant on South Oak in Erick, Oklahoma. This action resulted from an investigation by detectives from the Elk City Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, who are also members of the Oklahoma Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
The investigation began in May 2024 after the National Center for Missing and Exploited children notified the Elk City Police that a user on the social media platform “X” formally known as Twitter shared child sexual abuse material online.
An Elk City Police Department detective was able to identify a resident of Erick, Oklahoma, as a possible suspect. The investigation deepened after information was developed that the Dallas Texas Police Department’s ICAC Task Force was also able to link the same suspect to the distribution of child sexual abuse material on Reddit in October of 2023.
Working with this information, Elk City detectives identified 22-year-old Samuel Walker as the suspect and were able to secure a search warrant for Walker’s residence, leading to his arrest on charges of distributing and possessing child pornography.
The Elk City Police Department extends its thanks to the Erick Police Department, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Dallas Police Department for their essential assistance in this case. This operation demonstrates the critical role of interagency cooperation in the fight against child exploitation. When it comes to the victimization of children the Elk City Police Department will work tirelessly to ensure that suspects are held accountable.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Elk City Police Department or Erick Police Department.
Copyright 2024 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
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