EXCLUSIVE: Warning letter sent to someone suspected of uploading child porn

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - FOX10 News is investigating a “formal notice and warning” letter sent by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office ICAC Unit to someone suspected of uploading child pornography.

FOX10 News was made aware of this after a photo of the letter was posted to social media.

A spokesperson with the Sheriff’s Office confirmed this letter was sent out by one of their detectives but we’re told the detective did not have permission to send the letter. MCSO told me the detective wanted to be “proactive.” Now, they’re handling this internally.

The letter that was sent out on Dec. 30 says: “The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit is contacting you regarding information received through a cybertip report involving the upload of child pornography.”

The letter explained the tip they received shows a video classified as child sexual abuse material was uploaded to Snapchat on August 10, 2024, using a telephone number registered to the person the letter is addressed to.

It also says while this conduct is illegal and can result in arrest and prosecution, the detectives have decided to issue a warning at this time.

The person who made the social media post with the photo of the letter told me she was shocked the person wasn’t being charged.

“I was reading down the letter, and I’m thinking, wow, this person’s going to get in trouble,” she said. “Then I read a little further, and I get to the “this is a warning” part. I’m like, this letter can’t be real.”

She said having children of her own, seeing this letter was disturbing, and she hopes anyone who is found committing a crime is held accountable.

“It actually states its sexual abuse of a child, and so that was the most alarming part,” she said. “What a slap on the wrist or a pat on the back, or, you know.”