By LEONARD GRAY

Managing Editor

HAHNVILLE – A 60-year-old Luling man was booked this week by the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office on 21 counts of possession of child pornography.

Grover G. Cornwell, of 211 River Oaks Drive, was arrested after a Feb. 16 search warrant was executed on his home computer’s data.

He was already in custody for other charges, and the warrant developed out of that investigation, according to Capt. Patrick Yoes, spokesman for the sheriff’s office.

This data was turned over to the Louisiana Attorney General’s High Technology Crime Unit for forensic analysis.

The analysis determined there were 20,000 images of children, of which 21 were defined as pornographic.

On Tuesday, he was charged accordingly.

Sheriff Greg C. Champagne noted in a press release, “it is disturbing how we find this activity in places where we least expect it. The internet allows this activity to be more accessible throughout the world, and we must be more vigilant in protecting those who can’t protect themselves.”

Attorney-General Charles Foti commented in the same press release, “I am pleased my High Tech Crime Unit could assist Sheriff Champagne in this matter. We will continue to work with any and all law enforcement personnel who need our help to fight the growing problem of child pornography on the internet. Our goal is to stop those who would victimize our children or place them in harm’s way.”

Cornwell’s bond has been set at $200,000 by 29th Judicial District Judge Emile St. Pierre. Cornwell’s computer is still being analysed to determine if additional charges are warranted.