Published: July 11, 2008 11:44 pm         

Enid man arraigned on child pornography charges

An Enid man accused of possessing child pornography was arraigned Friday in Garfield County District Court.

James W. Daniel Jr., 49, appeared via video before Special District Judge Paul Woodward on the felony charge, which is punishable by no more than 20 years in prison, a fine of no more than $25,000 or both.

According to an affidavit filed with the case, Enid police were notified July 2 about 6 p.m. by Oklahoma Youth and Family Services about child pornography being located at Daniel’s residence.

Detectives spoke with Daniel’s wife, who said she suspected her husband was cheating on her, and while looking through some of his things she found four discs in Daniel’s nightstand, the affidavit states. She told police while she was reviewing the discs she saw what appeared to be child pornography, specifically a 2- to 3-year-old female engaged in sexual activity with an adult male.

Daniel’s wife signed a search waiver for detectives. Inside the couple’s bedroom, detectives found four discs in Daniel’s nightstand labeled as “Dad’s Files,” according to the affidavit.

On July 3, detectives reviewed the discs, which contained still photographs and several video clips portraying young children “engaging in various sex acts with adult men,” the affidavit states.

That same day, Daniel’s wife placed a call to her husband on her cell phone and asked Daniel about the four discs labeled “Dad’s Files.” Daniel said he knew about the disc but did not know where else to put them. He asked her if she wanted him to get rid of them. She said yes and Daniel agreed to get rid of them.

Detectives contacted Daniel on his cell phone on July 3 and said they needed to speak with him about an investigation they were conducting.

Detectives asked Daniel if he knew why they needed to speak with him and Daniel said he knew it was about “kiddie porn” pictures his wife had found, according to the affidavit.

During arraignment, Wood-ward agreed to Assistant District Attorney Josh Fields’ request Daniel’s bond be raised to $100,000 from the $50,000 bond listed on his arrest warrant.

Daniel told authorities during his arrest and booking he was employed as an instructor with Oklahoma Department of Corrections. DOC officials say they do not have anyone with Daniel’s Social Security number listed in their personnel database. However, officials said if a person was contracted to work for DOC they would not have that record.

Enid Public Schools records show Daniel was a student teacher at Emerson Junior High School and Enid High School during the second semester of the 2000-01 school year.

Daniel was ordered to return to court Aug. 8 for a bond appearance.