By Staff
Melissa Cason
A Sheffield man has been charged with possession of child pornography after law enforcement officials allegedly found an explicit photograph of a child under the age of 17 in the man's shoe during booking into the Franklin County Jail.
Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott said that Wendell Daniel Tidwell, 42, of 608 N. Montgomery in Sheffield, has been charged with possession of child pornography, possession of controlled substance and promoting prison contraband in addition to second-degree rape charges from October 2007.
Plott said changes in procedure since officers moved to the new jail earlier this month helped uncover the new crimes.
"The items were found because of the new booking procedures at the new jail," he said.
Tidwell was taken to the jail after a bond revocation hearing Friday afternoon.
According to the Alabama Criminal Code, possession of child pornography is a Class B felony, which is punishable with two to 20 years in prison upon conviction.
Tidwell remains in the Franklin County Jail.