Kent Man Used Instagram To Share Child Sexual Abuse Material, Sheriff Says

After an investigation into the possession and online sharing of child sexual abuse material, authorities stated that a 68-year-old man from Putnam County faces felony charges.

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The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office reported on Friday, August 15, that Lawrence Grella, of Kent, was taken into custody on Thursday, August 14, following a month-long investigation that started on July 9 following a referral from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the investigation featured two CyberTipline reports from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Detectives collaborating with Homeland Security Investigators discovered an Instagram account connected to Grella that was purportedly used to distribute illegal material. Investigators soon found Grella’s residence after obtaining search warrants and subpoenas for related social media and internet documents.

Homeland Security and the Sheriff’s Office carried out a search warrant at the home on Tuesday, August 5, and seized several electronic devices. Grella’s phone was purportedly found to contain illegal videos during a forensic examination.

Later, Grella and his lawyer turned themselves in to the police. He was charged in Kent Town Court with three charges of possessing a child’s sexual performance and two counts of encouraging a child’s sexual performance, both of which are felonies.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, he was released on his own recognizance and is required to appear before probation officers three times per week.