Palmer man arraigned on child pornography charge

PALMER — A 23-year-old Palmer man was arraigned Saturday on one felony count of distribution of child pornography.

According to court affidavits, Kristian Evan Seward allegedly had 10 to 15 pictures of child pornography on his cell phone at the time he was questioned by Palmer Police Department officers.

The affidavit stated that on June 20, a Wisconsin woman called Palmer police informing them that Seward told her he had been having oral sex with a 9-year old relative and had asked her if she could take pictures of “younger relatives.” Police say the Wisconsin woman was an acquaintance and past sex partner and that she had met Seward while in boot camp. The affidavit said the woman had first contacted Wisconsin law enforcement and e-mailed screenshots of the social media messages between the two.

The messages allege that Seward informed the woman that his relative instigated the sexual contact, knew what she was doing and is “smart for her age.” The affidavit states Seward asked the woman to help him procure photographs of her “younger relatives.”

Palmer officers stated in the court filing that Seward had been investigated about three months earlier in an Anchorage case. The affidavit states Seward had used social media messaging to contact a female who he had met and engaged in sexual relations with. The affidavit stated Seward told the female he had engaged in sexual relations with a 6-year old and “had videos of it.” Anchorage Police Department investigators stated that Seward had told the girl he would be babysitting a friend’s young daughter and wanted the female to assist in a sexual episode. APD said it determined that Seward was never alone with the child and that when confronted about the issue, Seward told police he was “dumb talking” and was unsure why he texted the comments.

On several occasions in late June through mid-July, PPD investigators utilized a state Glass warrant for conversations regarding solicitation of the unlawful exploitation of a minor. A Glass warrant is one allowing the legal recording of conversations — voice and electronic messaging — without the knowledge or consent of both parties. According to the affidavit, the warrant secured copies of social media messaging in which Seward discussed having the Wisconsin woman obtain nude sexual photos of a prepubescent girl.

After discussing how best to get the photos to Seward, the affidavit states both parties agreed that using a thumb drive would be the best way to send them. According to the affidavit, on July 20, Seward sent the woman cash through his Facebook Messenger program to cover costs of the thumb drive.

On Friday, PPD officers arrested Seward in a local grocery store. The affidavit states Seward admitted to trying to obtain the photos from the Wisconsin woman but lied to her about having had sexual encounters with the relative and that it was more of a fantasy. Seward admitted to police that he had been in an online chatroom which focused on incest and that he had traded pictures of adult females for ones showing child pornography.

The affidavit stated Seward told police he talks to girls aged 16-18 on social media platforms who send him naked pictures. The documents stated Seward told police he didn’t know why he wanted the photos, only that he was curious.

Seward remains in custody at Mat-Su Pretrial Facility with bail set at $10,000 cash/corporate plus a court-appointed third party. He is scheduled for a Sept. 12 preliminary hearing in Palmer District Court.

Contact reporter Chris Ford at 352-2270 or chris.ford@frontiersman.com