Suspicion, from the U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office in Charlotte, N.C., sparked an investigation that eventually led to the arrest of a 74-year-old Cheraw man for possession of child pornography and obscene materials. George Walter Krauss, of 152 Longhorn Lane, was taken into custody Feb. 15, and all of his electronic devices were seized by federal search warrant, according to lawmen.
Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Wayne Jordan said Krauss was the subject of an investigation led by Agent Susan Lidtke with the postal inspector’s office and Agent Lucida McKeller with the S.C. Attorney General’s office in reference to “possible child pornography being delivered by mail.”
According to Jordan, investigating officers went to the Krauss residence on Feb 13 and Krauss granted McKeller permission to inspect his computer. “Upon looking at several files on his desktop computer McKellar found a picture of five little girls, at a maximum age of not more than 7, sitting on a bench with no clothing or covering their private areas,” said Jordan.
At that point, the agents asked Krauss for consent to take his computer, cell phone, laptop and iPad to the sheriff’s office for a more in-depth examination. He did not object, lawmen said.
Lidtke called Jordan that same afternoon to say they had found “more pictures and some videos of children having intercourse.” She asked that a search warrant be executed against Krauss on Friday, Feb. 15.
Officers did not, however, return to the Krauss residence. Chesterfield County deputies told Lidtke they had a better idea. “Due to the assault rifles Sgt. Jordan observed (at the Krauss residence) and the handguns Mr. Krauss has access to,” the report said,”it was best to have Krauss come to the sheriff’s office.”
When Krauss arrived at the sheriff’s office he was taken into custody. The search of his property produced “several guns and ammo,” said Jordan, which Krauss signed over to law enforcement. Records indicate officers seized two handguns, two rifles and one shotgun.
Krauss has since been released on a personal recognisance bond.
— Staff Writer Karen Kissiah can be reached by calling 843-537-5261, or by email at kkissiah@civitasmedia.com.
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