THOMASVILLE — Through a national alert program, Thomasville police learned last week a Thomasville resident was involved in transmitting child pornography.

Late Thursday afternoon, police and Thomas County Sheriff’s Office personnel went to 118 Glenwood Drive and arrested resident Ronnie Johnnie Odom Jr.

Odom, 47, is charged with 18 counts of computer pornography and child exploitation.

Because the Odom residence is across Glenwood from a school, execution of the search warrant took place after school hours.

Thomasville Police Department received an alert from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program. TPD Detective Stefanie Hadley, along with sheriff’s office investigator Kevin Dennis, are members of the task force.

“Detective Hadley started working the alert,” said Sgt. Scott Newberry, TPD Criminal Investigations Division assistant commander.

In addition to the child pornography, officers found other electronic and media devices.

“All of them were seized,” Newberry said. “They will be examined for child pornography, and other charges are possible.”

Material seized contained images of children under 16.

“He was transmitting images,” Newberry said. “Somehow he’s getting child pornography and sending it.”

When child pornography is uploaded on an app, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program is alerted. The program also monitors child trafficking, Newberry said.

Unlawful images are dated and counted by the program — a network of 61 task forces representing more than 4,500 federal, state and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.

“As of right now, it is unknown of anyone local being victimized,” said Lt. Toby Knifer, CID commander. “It’s all online.”

Newberry said Odom’s past criminal history shows drug charges in Thomas and Colquitt counties.

“Detective Hadley did a good job on following leads and bringing this to a conclusion,” Newberry said. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820