San Tan Valley man charged in child pornography investigation

A San Tan Valley man is in custody in connection with an investigation into the sexual exploitation of minors.

Ian Sutherlin, 28, was identified by the Homeland Security Investigations Phoenix Division during an investigation into online child exploitation, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

Sutherlin allegedly downloaded child sexual abuse material, the PCSO said.

On June 12, PCSO took Sutherlin into custody without incident. Immediately after the arrest, a search warrant was issued for his home.

Sutherlin was booked into the Pinal County Detention Center on 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb said in a video on the PCSO Facebook page.

Sutherlin is being held on $10,000 bail and the investigation is still active.