Seven Upstate men arrested in child porn investigation, new charges filed

WALHALLA, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office said an investigation with the help of the Department of Homeland Security led to more than half a dozen arrests.

Over the course of two days, investigators executed search warrants at seven different homes based on evidence gathered following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Seven men were charged with possession of child pornography, which depicted victims between under 1 and 16 years old.

On Friday, Oct. 28, deputies announced new charges were filed against five of the men.

In some instances, deputies said the material was also distributed over the internet.

The following suspects were charged:

Ernest Joseph McDonald

23 years old

New Madison Road, Westminster, SC

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – 3rd Degree – One Count

On Friday, Oct. 28, deputies announced that McDonald was arrested on October 18 and released after posting bond. He was placed on an electronic monitoring device as a condition of his bond. However, on October 27 he was arrested and charged with an additional 49 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor - 3rd Degree charge. He remains in jail on a combined $490,000 surety bond.

Thomas Gerald Allred

45 years old

Easter Lane, Seneca, SC

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – 2nd Degree – Four Counts

On Friday, Oct. 28, deputies announced that Allred was charged with an additional four counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor - 2nd Degree and five counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor - 3rd Degree. He received a combined $150,000 surety bond on the nine additional charges and will be required to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition, if he is released.

Terry Randall Belk, Jr.

23 years old

Oak Tree Drive, Seneca, SC

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – 2nd Degree – One Count

On Friday, Oct. 28, deputies announced that Belk was charged with nine counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct of a Minor - 2nd Degree and five counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor - 3rd Degree. He was given a $140,000 surety bond on the additional charges and will be required to wear an electronic monitoring device, as a condition of bond.

Jon Joseph Carranza

26 years old

Ralph Sheriff Road, Seneca, SC

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – 2nd Degree – One Count

On Friday, Oct. 28, deputies announced that Carranza was charged with two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor - 3rd Degree. He was also given a combined $50,000 surety bond on two additional charges. He will be required to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition, if he is released.

Richard David Raffl

74 years old

Lake Ridge Circle, Walhalla, SC

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – 3rd Degree – One Count

William Douglas Minner

59 years old

Cheohee Valley Road, Tamassee, SC

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – 3rd Degree – 20 counts

On Friday, Oct. 28, deputies announced that Minner was charged with 80 additional counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor - 3rd Degree. He will remain in jail on a $1 million surety bond on the 100 total charges.