SS man arrested on child pornography charge

A 36-year-old Sulphur Springs man is in custody following a Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office investigation of alleged distribution of child pornography.

A team led by Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford reportedly received a tip regarding a possible local resident involved in the distribution of child pornography. They determined that the IP address used to upload the images was traced to a residence in the 100 block of Ross Street in Sulphur Springs, and the suspect was identified as Manuel Rodriguez-Cruz, 36.

Investigators confirmed Rodriguez-Cruz was at the residence and served a search warrant. During the search, Rodriguez-Cruz reportedly confessed to accessing and possessing child pornography, both for distribution and personal use. Deputies seized all electronics at the residence for further analysis.

Rodriguez-Cruz was taken into custody and charged with intent to promote child pornography, a second-degree felony. No bond was set, and Rodriguez-Cruz remained in jail as of press time Wednesday, according to arrest reports and jail records.