ELBERTA, Ala. — An Elberta man arrested by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office is being held on a $100,000 cash bond after investigators charged him with four counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, the sheriff’s office said Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026.
Timothy Eyres of Elberta was taken into custody after investigators obtained and served search warrants, including one for a personal electronic device that belonged to him, according to the sheriff’s office. He remained in the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Corrections Center as of the announcement. Eyres is accused, not convicted, and like any person charged with a crime he is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
What the sheriff’s office says happened
According to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, its investigators received information in September 2026 about unlawful activity taking place online. That tip prompted an investigation into Eyres’ internet activity.
Over the course of the case, investigators served several search warrants. One of those warrants allowed them to search an electronic device belonging to Eyres. The sheriff’s office said a forensic examination of the device turned up numerous files that investigators believe constitute illegal material involving children.
Based on those findings, arrest warrants were signed charging Eyres with four counts of possession of child sexual abuse material under Section 13A-12-192(b) of the Code of Alabama. The sheriff’s office did not release further details about the evidence, and none are needed to understand the charges.
Bond and conditions of release
Eyres’ bond was set at $100,000 cash. A cash bond generally means the full amount must be posted in cash with the court, rather than secured through a commercial bail bonding company, before a defendant can be released while the case is pending.
The sheriff’s office said that if Eyres makes bond, he will be subject to strict conditions while he awaits trial:
- No contact with children
- No access to the internet
- No possession of guns
- GPS monitoring after his release
Release conditions such as these are set by a judge and are meant to protect the public and ensure a defendant returns to court. Violating them can result in a defendant’s bond being revoked and a return to jail.
“The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and its Federal partners in law enforcement are committed to continuing their efforts to identify and apprehend individuals who engage in illegal activities online and to ensure the safety and well-being of all children,” the sheriff’s office said in its Oct. 20 release.
How the case moves forward
An arrest and a charge are the beginning of the criminal process, not the end. In Alabama, felony cases typically move through several stages. A defendant first appears before a judge, who reviews the charges and the conditions of release. The case may then go to a preliminary hearing in district court, where a judge decides whether there is probable cause to proceed, and to a grand jury, which decides whether to return an indictment. If an indictment is returned, the case moves to circuit court, where the defendant enters a plea and the case is resolved through a trial, a plea agreement or a dismissal.
Possession of child sexual abuse material is a felony under Alabama law. The sheriff’s office has not said when Eyres is next scheduled to appear in court, and it was not immediately known whether he has an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
The sheriff’s office noted that it works alongside federal law enforcement partners on cases involving online crimes against children. It did not say whether federal charges are being considered in this case.
About the community
Elberta is a small town in southern Baldwin County, located along U.S. Highway 98 east of Foley and west of the Perdido Bay area. The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services across the county’s unincorporated areas and works with municipal police departments on investigations that cross jurisdictional lines, including those involving online activity.
How to report suspected child exploitation
Anyone who encounters material online that may depict the sexual exploitation of a child, or who suspects a child is being exploited, should not download, share or save the material. Instead, report it to authorities:
- The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline accepts reports 24 hours a day at report.cybertip.org or by phone at 1-800-843-5678.
- Reports can also be made to local law enforcement, including the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
- If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
Reports to the CyberTipline are reviewed and referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for possible investigation. Parents and caregivers who want to learn more about keeping children safe online can find resources through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
