Police officer arrested for possession of child sexual abuse material

POCAHONTAS, Arkansas (KAIT) – A former Pocahontas police officer is free on $25,000 bail after being arrested for possession of child sexual abuse material.

According to a press release Tuesday, the Sept. 23 arrest of 40-year-old Arthur Cocherell followed a months-long investigation by the Pocahontas Police Department, Arkansas State Police and the Jonesboro Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

“During this investigation, Mr. Cocherell was terminated from his position with the Pocahontas Police Department,” the press release said. The police department did not disclose when Cocherell's employment was terminated.

On September 19, an arrest warrant was issued for Cocherell for possession, distribution and/or viewing of child pornography.

According to PPD, he turned himself in around 7:30 a.m. on Monday, September 23. Later that day, he appeared in District Court, where his bail was set. According to online jail records, Cocherell was released from the Randolph County Detention Center at 12:15 p.m. that same day.

The PPD said it would continue to work with ASP and ICAC as the legal process progresses.

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