REPORT: 100 child porn images allegedly found on Merkel resident's phone

TAYLOR COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) - A Merkel man has been arrested after investigators allegedly found more than 100 images of child pornography on his phone.

On October 31, 2023, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a cell phone in Merkel that reportedly contained videos of children engaged in sexual acts.

The phone was identified as belonging to Garrett Haynes. During a further search, deputies say they discovered about 100 explicit photos of underage girls.

Haynes was booked into the Taylor County Jail on charges of Possession of Child Pornography, Sexual Assault and Assault Family Violence Impeding Breath. He remains in custody on bonds totaling $160,000.