Abilene man associated with children’s organization charged with child porn

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – An Abilene man has been arrested for allegedly promoting child pornography, and police are asking anyone with information to reach out.

On May 7, 39-year-old Joel Michael Paris was arrested by the Abilene Police Department’s Cyber Crimes Unit, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations. This arrest is based on a cyber tip, where detectives say they discovered videos of girls under the age of 15 engaging in sexual conduct.

Abilene police executed a search warrant at his house, and Paris was taken into custody at his workplace, Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Paris was booked into the Taylor County Jail on a second-degree felony charge of Promotion of Child Pornography. Abilene police are urging anyone with information related to the case or who may have had inappropriate contact with Paris to contact the Cyber Crimes Unit at (325) 676-6610.

Big Brothers Big Sisters issued the following statement regarding the arrest:

“We have been informed of the serious allegations against Mr. Joel Paris. Mr. Paris is no
longer with our organization. Big Brothers Big Sisters Abilene is committed to the safety
of our children first and foremost and has cooperated fully with the authorities regarding
this matter. It is the policy of BBBSA that every staff member, Board Member or volunteer
be thoroughly screened through a series of professional checks and interviews prior to his
or her employment or acceptance as a “Big” or volunteer Mentor. Nothing is more
important to us than the safety and well-being of our youth and this commitment to
safety is one which we take most seriously.”