(Columbiana, AL) In June 2023, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division received a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The investigation led to the arrest of 31 year old Michael Chad Wade, of Vincent, AL. Wade was arrested on Friday, July 21, 2023, and charged with six counts of “Possession of obscene matter containing visual depiction of persons under 17 years of age involved in obscene acts”. Further investigation resulted in Wade being charged with 10 counts of “Dissemination or public display 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. Wade is currently being held in the Shelby County Jail on $390,000 bond. Sheriff John Samaniego stated, “I am very appreciative of the men and women of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office who worked diligently to bring Wade to justice. I also want to thank the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, whose assistance is vital for investigating these crimes. Investigating the victimization of children is a top priority and I am thankful we were able to close this case with an arrest.”
This investigation is 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 of Metro Alabama 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 and search for codes 13A-12-191 and 13A-12-192. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is a longtime member of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. For more information about ICAC, visit https://www.icactaskforce.org.