By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
A Salina man was arrested Tuesday on multiple requested charges that included internet trading in child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child.
Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning that the Salina Police Department received a report in November of 2021 from a Wichita Police detective who was assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
"That detective, through their investigation, was able to develop Lucas Phelps as a suspect who was possibly trading child pornography on the internet," Forrester said.
With the information received and further investigation, the Salina Police Department was able to conduct a search warrant on Phelps' Salina residence, where computer equipment and a cellphone were seized, he said.
"A search warrant was conducted on those items and we were able to able to establish probable cause for Lucas Phelps," Forrester said.
A warrant through Saline County District Court was then issued for Phelps, 37, of Salina, and he was arrested by a Saline County Sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop Tuesday.
Forrester said Phelps was arrested on the following requested charges.
●Six counts of internet trading in child pornography
●12 counts of sexual exploitation of a child
Forrester said no local victims were identified during the investigation of Phelps. The investigation is ongoing.