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Suspect nabbed in child-porn case

Patrick Parkinson, Of the Record staff

A 23-year-old Pinebrook man arrested Wednesday and booked into the Summit County jail is charged with 10 counts of sex exploitation of a minor, which are second-degree felonies.

Several months ago the Summit County Sheriff’s Office began the investigation in cooperation with the Office of the Utah Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Sheriff’s Office Detective Ron Bridge said.

A tip that Joe I. Mason was viewing child pornography led investigators to his Snyderville Basin home, Bridge said, adding that Mason had bailed out of jail by Thursday morning.

"Mason gave details of using his home computer to download and view child pornography," Bridge said.

Bridge would not comment about the ages of children or acts the images depict.

"The computer was seized and a forensic examination was completed," Bridge said.

Mason turned himself into authorities July 1 at about 4 p.m., Bridge said, adding that a $50,000 warrant had been issued for the man’s arrest.

People found guilty of second-degree felonies in Utah could serve one to 15 years in prison for each count.

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