Ala. man accused of recording minors in Walmart bathroom indicted on 53 child porn charges

CULLMAN, Ala. (TCD) -- A former Walmart employee accused of recording a minor in the store’s restroom was recently indicted on over 50 child pornography charges after investigators discovered additional victims.

According to a news release from the Cullman Police Department, 25-year-old Ethan Richardson was arrested Feb. 22 on charges of production of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and aggravated criminal surveillance in connection with an incident that reportedly occurred Feb. 4. The Cullman Tribune reports Richardson allegedly used his cellphone to record the juvenile in the local Walmart’s restroom.

He was later released on $80,000 bond.

The Cullman Police Department announced this week that Richardson was indicted and charged with 53 counts. According to the Cullman Tribune, those charges include 17 counts of production of child pornography, 17 counts of possession of child pornography, and 19 counts of aggravated surveillance.

Investigators found 18 additional victims, some as young as 2 years old, AL.com reports.

According to WBRC-TV, Cullman Police believe Richardson could have started taking videos of victims as early as 2022.

The indictment alleges Richardson recorded the underage victims in the Walmart bathroom without their knowledge and "for the purposes of sexual gratification."

Cullman’s new bail was reportedly set at $625,000.

MORE:

• News Release — Cullman Police Department
• Man arrested for allegedly videoing minors in Alabama Walmart bathroom facing 53 child porn-related counts — AL.com 
• Local man indicted on 53 counts related to child pornography — The Cullman Tribune
• News Release, 2/22/2023 — Cullman Police Department
• Cullman Police increase charges for former Walmart employee accused of producing child pornography — WBRC