Detectives from the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Missing and Exploited Children’s Task Force (MECTF) have arrested a man they believe to be the state’s leading downloader of child pornography.

Elwood Anderson, 46, of Gig Harbor was taken into custody without incident earlier today.

The investigation originated from the Seattle Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) and was forwarded to MECTF detectives in May 2013. MECTF learned an unknown suspect was downloading and sharing depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit activities.

Subsequent investigation led MECTF to a home in Gig Harbor. A search warrant was executed July 13, 2013. During the search warrant, detectives seized multiple computers and digital media devices. A forensic review of the computers and digital media revealed Anderson had downloaded and shared over 9,000 images of young children engaged in sexually explicit activity.

Anderson was booked into the Pierce County Jail on charges of Dealing and Possession of Depictions of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct.  The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.