A man, who has lived in Butler

County for the last seven years, remains in jail on charges for allegedly possessing child pornography and for producing child pornography.

According to Sheriff Kenny Harden, the man was arrested Thursday after he and members of his force executed a search warrant in southeast Butler County.

George Denney Van Zandt, 67, of 4245 Brewer Loop off of Halso Mill Road was arrested and tentatively charged with possession of child pornography and for producing child pornography.

&#8220This came about after someone called the Greenville Police Department about having knowledge of Mr. Van Zandt  and his allegedly having child pornography,” Harden said late Thursday at his office in the Butler County Courthouse.  &#8220Since he lived outside the city's jurisdiction, they referred the person to me, and after speaking with the person, who we won't identify, we obtained a search warrant.”

Harden said in conjunction with District Attorney John Andrews, they executed the warrant Thursday morning between 9:30 and 10 a.m. in a joint operation involving the BCSO, the Greenville Police Department and the game warden.

&#8220During the execution of the search warrant, we found computers, printers, cameras and several floppy disks that contained child porn,” Harden said.  &#8220These were images that we believe he downloaded from the Internet, but there also were photos he had taken.  Let me stress that at this time we do not believe any of the children were local. We don't believe any of these children in these images were Butler County residents.”

Harden said Van Zandt has lived in Butler County for the last seven years and that he told authorities he moved here from Birmingham.

&#8220He was basically living in a hunting camp,” Harden said. &#8220We're not sure if he has a prior record and that will be revealed as we complete a criminal background check.”

The sheriff said the computer and other equipment found at the man's home has been turned over to the Alabama Department of Forensics for further study.

&#8220They will be able to go through his computer and extract any obscene material that will be used to prosecute him,” he said.  &#8220Once that is complete, he may face other charges.”

Currently Van Zandt is charged with possession of obscene material and also charged with production of obscene material.

&#8220At this time, we're not sure how many other charges he may face, including possibly federal charges,” Harden said. 

Under Alabama law, possession of obscene matter, is a Class C felony, while producing obscene matter is a Class A felony.

Harden said Van Zandt told them that he has always favored young girls.

&#8220He told us that he has had this fantasy since he was 15,” the sheriff said. 

Van Zandt was arraigned before District Judge MacDonald Russell on Friday afternoon. Russell set his bond at $40,000. That's $30,000 for the Class A felony while the Class C felony had a $10,000 bond. Russell explained to Van Zandt that if he made bond, he would have to make sure all electronic devices such as computers, cameras, video cameras and a cell phone with camera were turned over to the sheriff.

As of press time, he remains in custody.

On Thursday, Harden transferred Van Zandt to another location for security reasons.

&#8220We decided to move him to another facility for safety concerns,” he said.

The sheriff praised the Greenville Police Department and the 35th Judicial Circuit District Attorney's office.

&#8220Again, this is an example of how well our various agencies are working together,” he said.  &#8220And we're going to continue to work together to make our county as safe as possible.”