Suspect Found to be in Possession of over 60 Images/Videos of Children being Sexually Abused, Pleads Guilty
On Thursday, February 11, 2021, a suspect, 34-year-old Steven E. Prestwood, found to be in possession of over 60 images/video of minors being sexually abused, pled guilty in Spokane County Superior Court. The investigation began in August of 2020, stemming from a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) tip. Sheriff’s Office Sexual Assault Unit (SAU) Detective Brad Humphrey obtained search warrants and developed probable cause to charge Prestwood with multiple felony crimes. With the aid of Spokane Police Neighborhood Resource Officer Micah Primm, Preston was located/arrested on September 9, 2020, and booked into jail.
Prestwood remains in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 31, 2021.
In early August of 2020, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office SAU Detective Brad Humphrey began an investigation after receiving a NCMEC tip regarding multiple digital images/video classified as “apparent child pornography.”
Through the investigation, Detective Humphrey identified 34-year-old Steven E. Prestwood as a suspect and obtained search warrants.
On September 9, 2020, SAU Detective Humphrey developed probable cause to charge Prestwood with 62 counts of Possession of Depictions of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct in the 1st and 2nd Degree.
Knowing Prestwood was transient and frequented the downtown area, Detective Humphrey contacted Spokane Police Neighborhood Resource Officer Micah Primm and requested his help in locating Prestwood.
A short time later, SPD Officer Primm advised he had located and arrested Prestwood. Prestwood was found to be in possession of two cell phones and a black-tar like substance believed to be Heroin.
During an interview, after being advised of his rights, Prestwood admitted to possessing Heroin, but he stated he didn’t use Heroin. He said he found the Heroin in “the park” and had only picked it up off the ground so a little kid wouldn’t pick it up.
As the interviewed turned toward the cell phones Prestwood had in his possession, the use of the internet, and the accounts he has used, Prestwood requested a lawyer. The interview was terminated, and Prestwood was informed of his multiple felony charges. He was booked into the Spokane County Jail, where he remains.
On Thursday, February 11, 2021, Prestwood pled guilty to one count of Possession of Depictions of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct in the 1st Degree and one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance-Heroin. He is currently scheduled to be sentenced on March 31, 2021.
The case was prosecuted by Spokane County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Eugene Cruz in Spokane County Superior Court with Superior Court Judge Tony Hazel presiding.