Ocean Springs alderman faces child porn charge

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WALA) - An Ocean Springs alderman has been arrested twice in the past week.

James Roy Hagan represents Ward Six in Ocean Springs and works as code enforcement officer in Moss Point.

"He's jovial. He is a very independent thinker and voter. We all like James. We consider him a close colleague," said Ocean Springs Mayor Connie Moran.

However, Jackson County sheriff's deputies arrested Hagan last week. He was charged with touching a child under 18 for lustful purposes and with embezzlement.

Investigators then seized four computers from Hagan's office and home. They uncovered a pornographic image on one of those computers.

Tuesday, Hagan turned himself in, this time charged with child pornography.

"We are continuing our investigation. We still have three more computers to scan and that's going to take some time. Anything else that comes up possibly will be more charges added to the previous charges, or we'll take it straight to the grand jury," said Sheriff Mike Byrd.

Sheriff Byrd said an anonymous tip and investigation led to the touching charge. The embezzlement charge comes from a laptop Hagan was assigned by Ocean Springs that he said was missing.

The laptop was found in Hagan's possession when law enforcement arrested him.

Hagan remains out on bond and plans to stay on as alderman for Ward Six.