Key Takeaways
- • Grant Aaron Byerly, 37, of Trumann, Arkansas, was arrested on June 2, 2026, on charges of possession or use of child sexual abuse material, a Class B felony, following a cybertip investigation by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
- • Byerly allegedly used Cash App to purchase access to child sexual abuse material on the dark web and admitted during police interview to viewing the material approximately every two weeks, according to the probable cause affidavit.
- • Judge Tommy Fowler set bond at $250,000 cash or surety after the Jonesboro Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children unit, U.S. Marshals Service, and Trumann Police Department executed a search warrant; the defendant's next court appearance is scheduled for July 30, 2026.
- • The arrest involved coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, demonstrating the infrastructure for investigating online child exploitation crimes through the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force network.
Summary
Grant Aaron Byerly, a 37-year-old Trumann resident, was arrested on June 2, 2026, following a federal cybertip investigation into the online purchase of child sexual abuse material. The arrest was initiated when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children forwarded a tip to the Jonesboro Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children unit, which then conducted a comprehensive investigation into the alleged criminal activity.
According to the probable cause affidavit, investigators determined that Byerly, who was initially listed as a Lake City resident, used Cash App to make purchases of child sexual abuse material on the dark web. During his arrest and subsequent police interview, Byerly admitted to purchasing access to the material and confirmed he viewed it approximately every two weeks. Law enforcement executed the search warrant in Trumann on June 2 with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Trumann Police Department.
At his initial court appearance before Judge Tommy Fowler, Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Nadzam requested a $250,000 bond. Defense attorney Bill Bristow argued for a reduced $50,000 bond, contending it would be sufficient to ensure Byerly's return to court. Judge Fowler rejected the lower amount, stating that bond determinations extend beyond ensuring court appearance and must also consider community protection. Fowler imposed a $250,000 cash or surety bond and ordered Byerly to have no internet access. Byerly's next scheduled court date is July 30, 2026. The case is classified as a Class B felony possession or use of child sexual abuse material charge.
According to the probable cause affidavit, investigators determined that Byerly, who was initially listed as a Lake City resident, used Cash App to make purchases of child sexual abuse material on the dark web. During his arrest and subsequent police interview, Byerly admitted to purchasing access to the material and confirmed he viewed it approximately every two weeks. Law enforcement executed the search warrant in Trumann on June 2 with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Trumann Police Department.
At his initial court appearance before Judge Tommy Fowler, Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Nadzam requested a $250,000 bond. Defense attorney Bill Bristow argued for a reduced $50,000 bond, contending it would be sufficient to ensure Byerly's return to court. Judge Fowler rejected the lower amount, stating that bond determinations extend beyond ensuring court appearance and must also consider community protection. Fowler imposed a $250,000 cash or surety bond and ordered Byerly to have no internet access. Byerly's next scheduled court date is July 30, 2026. The case is classified as a Class B felony possession or use of child sexual abuse material charge.
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