MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis police say an officer has been charged with sexual exploitation of a minor.
The Memphis Police Department said Friday that 26-year-old officer Matthew Ashmore has been relieved of duty with pay pending the outcome of an administrative investigation.
The department says officers received a complaint from someone who had found a cellphone at a business Thursday. While looking through the phone, the person who found it saw images of unknown adult men having sex with girls believed to be between the ages of 2 and 6.
Investigating officers said they discovered the phone belonged to Ashmore.
Online court records show Ashmore is out of jail on $15,000 bond. The records do not show if he has a lawyer.