LITTLE ROCK—A federal investigation into certain online child exploitation chatrooms has resulted in the arrest of Harold "HL" Moody, Jr. Cody Hiland, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Jere T. Miles, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans Field Division, announced today the unsealing of a criminal complaint charging Moody, 39, of Little Rock, with distribution and possession of child pornography. Moody worked as the special events coordinator for Pulaski County Youth Services.

Moody was arrested Monday evening and appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Joe J. Volpe on Tuesday morning, at which time he was remanded to federal custody. A trial date will be set at a later time. Law enforcement officers also executed a search warrant at Moody’s residence on Monday.

HSI was conducting an undercover investigation into child exploitation chatrooms when agents discovered an individual later identified as Moody distributing child pornography. The undercover agents involved in the investigation observed Moody in these chatrooms on at least five occasions.

According to the complaint affidavit, on August 29, 2018, Moody was present in a chatroom when child pornography was being displayed. Agents observed Moody in the chatroom, via his webcam. Moody’s face was clearly visible and the undercover agent observed what appeared to be an office setting in the background.

That same day, undercover agents again observed Moody in a chatroom where child pornography was being displayed. Moody appeared to be in the same office.

On September 7, 2018, Moody was again visible on camera and observed in the chatroom actually distributing child pornography. Among the images that Moody distributed was a video that depicted a nude, adult, male performing oral sex on two nude, pre-pubescent males. According to the complaint, Moody then follows the video with the following chat message sent to all participants of the chatroom: "not the version i thought." Another user requests, via chat message, that Moody play more videos. Moody responds via chat message, "I’ve heard of White privilege but never Perv privilege – i am not the Juke Box at Waffle House...I do not play on demand..."

On September 9, 2018, and October 12, 2018, Moody was again in the chatroom distributing child pornography.

Distribution of child pornography carries a penalty of not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years imprisonment, not less than 5 years to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Possession of child pornography carries a penalty of not more than 10 years imprisonment, not less than 5 years to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

This investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin Bryant and Allison Bragg.

A complaint or indictment contains only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available on-line at

http://www.justice.gov/edar

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