(Columbiana, AL) In November 2022, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigators received a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. This information led to an investigation involving David Stephen West, 54 years old of Leeds. On Monday January 9, 2023, Investigators arrested West on 10 counts of “Possession of obscene matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts”.
At this time investigators have no information that suggests the images were produced in or near Shelby County. West is currently being held in the Shelby County Jail on $150,000 bond.
Sheriff John Samaniego stated, “I am grateful for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and this is another example of our deputies using this partnership to aggressively pursue those who prey on our children.”
This investigation is still ongoing and the Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with additional information to call the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at (205) 670-6000. An anonymous tip can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777, or on their website at www.crimestoppersmetroal.com
For more information on the crimes charged, you can view the Alabama Criminal Code at http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/.../1975/coatoc.htm and search for code 13A-12-192.