Monthslong Elko Investigation Leads to Two Arrests in Separate Child Sex Abuse Material Cases in Northeastern Nevada

How the case began

ELKO, NV — Police in Elko say a March CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children kicked off a digital investigation into suspected child sex abuse material downloaded through data storage platforms. Investigators said the report pointed to images and video files showing the sexual abuse of minors.

From there, detectives obtained a search warrant for related online accounts and said they uncovered additional images and videos during the inquiry.

Ward case moved to Winnemucca

Elko Police said the first case originally appeared to involve activity inside city limits, but investigators later learned the suspect, Laurance Ward, had moved to Winnemucca. With help from Winnemucca police and state authorities, officers executed a search warrant at a home and seized several digital devices for forensic review.

The department said its Electronic Storage Detection K9, Trigger, assisted in the search and that analysis of the devices confirmed illicit material was present.

Felony counts filed

Ward was still being held at the Elko County Jail when an arrest warrant was issued, and he was then booked on the additional charges. Police said he now faces 87 felony counts.

The charges include possession of visual presentation of child sexual abuse material and using the internet to control visual presentation of child sexual abuse material.

Second warrant on June 3

In a separate case, police served a search warrant on June 3 at a home tied to several Internet Crimes Against Children CyberTips. Elko Police said Trigger again helped during the search of the residence.

Authorities said the suspect, Daniel Payne, was later arrested and charged with possession of child sex abuse material.

Investigation still open

Police said the overall investigation is still active and continues with help from the Winnemucca Police Department and the Northern Nevada Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is part of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Elko Police also asked anyone with information to contact Detective Cassie Barainca.

For the Ward case, the department said tips can also be directed to Winnemucca Police Detective Cory Dunckhorst.

TNSO covers California, Nevada, and Arizona as the story unfolds.