I am in total shock that former county commissioner Lane Rees has been arrested for child pornagraphy. I feel terrible for his family. Hopefully the allegations will not turn out to be true. He is innocent until proven guilty, but if the allegations are proven to be true, then he needs to suffer the punishment determined by the court.
Former County Commissioner Lane Rees Arrested
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Lane Rees, a former Walton County Commissioner and its elected Republican state committeeman, has been arrested on child pornography charges.
Rees was taken into custody at about 5 p.m. Monday at his Santa Rosa Beach home after deputies served a search warrant, Walton County Sheriff Mike Adkinson said.
He has been charged with possession of child pornography. Adkinson said “multiple images” were found at the home.
“Corroborating evidence” supporting the charges “was found at the home,” Adkinson said. “He has for sure got some pretty significant images.”
Rees was at home with his adult daughter when investigators arrived to serve the warrant, Adkinson said. Rees had “no clue” he was under investigation, he said.
The warrant service concluded what the sheriff said had been a monthlong investigation conducted by a cyber-investigation team.
“They received a tip and told me what they’d found. I authorized them to move forward,” Adkinson said.
Rees owns his own business, Human Resources Solutions.
He was elected the county’s Republican state committee man in 2008 and has served in that capacity since. His wife, Brenda, is the county’s elected state committee woman.
Rees emerged on the political scene in Walton County in 1999 when he was appointed executive director of the South Walton Community Council.
The next year, Rees was elected to the Walton County Commission.
He served as a commissioner for four years but was defeated in his reelection bid by a fellow Republican, 23-year-old candidate named Scott Brannon.
The Rees-Brannon campaign was eye opening for the amount of money that was raised by two men seeking a seat that paid less than $34,000 a year. The Florida Commission on Ethics would later fine Brannon and a group that supported his campaign for violations.
Rees was named the “Community Walton Man of the Year” in 2011.
Adkinson said more information about the arrest and investigation would be released Tuesday. Investigators have seized computer equipment and other items from his home.
The number of possession of child pornography charges brought is determined by the number of images found as investigators go through the software used to download them.
Rees was booked in the Walton County Jail on Monday and faces more than 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines if convicted of the possession charge as well as the charge of transmission of child pornography.
Rees was taken into custody at about 5 p.m. Monday at his Santa Rosa Beach home after deputies served a search warrant, Walton County Sheriff Mike Adkinson said.
He has been charged with possession of child pornography. Adkinson said “multiple images” were found at the home.
“Corroborating evidence” supporting the charges “was found at the home,” Adkinson said. “He has for sure got some pretty significant images.”
Rees was at home with his adult daughter when investigators arrived to serve the warrant, Adkinson said. Rees had “no clue” he was under investigation, he said.
The warrant service concluded what the sheriff said had been a monthlong investigation conducted by a cyber-investigation team.
“They received a tip and told me what they’d found. I authorized them to move forward,” Adkinson said.
Rees owns his own business, Human Resources Solutions.
He was elected the county’s Republican state committee man in 2008 and has served in that capacity since. His wife, Brenda, is the county’s elected state committee woman.
Rees emerged on the political scene in Walton County in 1999 when he was appointed executive director of the South Walton Community Council.
The next year, Rees was elected to the Walton County Commission.
He served as a commissioner for four years but was defeated in his reelection bid by a fellow Republican, 23-year-old candidate named Scott Brannon.
The Rees-Brannon campaign was eye opening for the amount of money that was raised by two men seeking a seat that paid less than $34,000 a year. The Florida Commission on Ethics would later fine Brannon and a group that supported his campaign for violations.
Rees was named the “Community Walton Man of the Year” in 2011.
Adkinson said more information about the arrest and investigation would be released Tuesday. Investigators have seized computer equipment and other items from his home.
The number of possession of child pornography charges brought is determined by the number of images found as investigators go through the software used to download them.
Rees was booked in the Walton County Jail on Monday and faces more than 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines if convicted of the possession charge as well as the charge of transmission of child pornography.
Cyber-crime investigators with the Walton County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) began an investigation on February 25,2013 after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), relating to the possibility of an individual trading in child pornography media files. After further investigation, the subject who owned the online account was found to be Lane Charles Rees, 61, of Santa Rosa Beach.
Based on information gathered during the investigation, a search warrant was obtained for 323 Lakeview Drive, Santa Rosa Beach and Rees was arrested in the late evening hours of April 1st. He was charged with Possession of Child Pornography and Transmission of Child Pornography, both third degree felonies which are punishable by a combined term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years and a fine of $10,000. Rees was transported and booked into the Walton County Department of Corrections.
Rees is a former County Commissioner, elected in 2000 and served as chairman in 2001-2002. In 2002, then-Governor Jeb Bush appointed Rees to the Florida Medical Examiner Commission.
http://www.wmbb.com/story/21854240/former-walton-county-commissioner-arrested-on-child-porn-charges
Based on information gathered during the investigation, a search warrant was obtained for 323 Lakeview Drive, Santa Rosa Beach and Rees was arrested in the late evening hours of April 1st. He was charged with Possession of Child Pornography and Transmission of Child Pornography, both third degree felonies which are punishable by a combined term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years and a fine of $10,000. Rees was transported and booked into the Walton County Department of Corrections.
Rees is a former County Commissioner, elected in 2000 and served as chairman in 2001-2002. In 2002, then-Governor Jeb Bush appointed Rees to the Florida Medical Examiner Commission.
http://www.wmbb.com/story/21854240/former-walton-county-commissioner-arrested-on-child-porn-charges
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Former Walton Commissioner Arrested For Child Porn
Walton County Sheriff Mike Adkinson confirms former Walton county commissioner Lane Rees, of Seagrove Beach, has been arrested at his home on charges of child pornography. Deputies seized Rees’ computer equipment and other items. The number of charges will be determined by the number of pornographic images found in his computer.
Rees owns and operates Human Resources Solutions and has done work for the city of DeFuniak Springs and other agencies. Rees is an elected Republican State Committeeman and lost re-election to Scott Brannon in a highly financed election by both candidates.
Sheriff Adkinson indicated that Rees reportedly had “no clue” he was under a month long investigation by a cyber-crime investigation team. Adkinson described the images as “pretty significant” and expects to release more information.
Walton County Sheriff Mike Adkinson confirms former Walton county commissioner Lane Rees, of Seagrove Beach, has been arrested at his home on charges of child pornography. Deputies seized Rees’ computer equipment and other items. The number of charges will be determined by the number of pornographic images found in his computer.
Rees owns and operates Human Resources Solutions and has done work for the city of DeFuniak Springs and other agencies. Rees is an elected Republican State Committeeman and lost re-election to Scott Brannon in a highly financed election by both candidates.
Sheriff Adkinson indicated that Rees reportedly had “no clue” he was under a month long investigation by a cyber-crime investigation team. Adkinson described the images as “pretty significant” and expects to release more information.
Through a public information request, WZEP AM 1460 News has received a copy of former Walton Commissioner Lane Rees’ arrest report. Rees was arrested after a month long investigation into child pornography on the computer. Rees was arrested at his home in Seagrove Beach and his computer was taken by Walton Sheriff Investigators. Walton Sheriff Mike Adkinson says he knew of the investigation and told the investigators to work the case like any other. Adkinson is known for having no tolerance for crimes against children.
The arrest report says, on February 25, a report was received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The report indicated on February 13, 2013, around 8:30pm, America Online, using its internal software, detected an email message which was sent from an American Online user, solutionhr to an individual using hotmail. An attachment contained within the email was a video depicting child pornography. The video is described as a color video 37 seconds in length and depicted a young female estimated by the investigator to be four to six years old. The video shows a graphic physical encounter between the child and an adult male.
The investigation continued with a subpoena to Mediacom for subscriber information. The response indicated the address belonged to Lane Rees. February 26 a search warrant was issued to America Online for the subscriber information and account details. The investigator located the email with the attached video in the sent file from Rees’ email account. An email was also located in the inbox that contained a file with 74 graphic images with most containing child pornography.
On April 1st, a search warrant was executed at Rees’ residence and an interview was conducted. The investigator says Rees admitted to being the only user of the laptop computer and the email account. Rees also admitted he was the only one with the password to the email account. He also admitted to sending emails within minutes of receiving and sending emails which contained digital media depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Rees has been charged with Possessing Obscene Material Photograph of Sexual Performance by Child and Obscene Communication In State Person Electronic Transmission Child Pornography.
The arrest report says, on February 25, a report was received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The report indicated on February 13, 2013, around 8:30pm, America Online, using its internal software, detected an email message which was sent from an American Online user, solutionhr to an individual using hotmail. An attachment contained within the email was a video depicting child pornography. The video is described as a color video 37 seconds in length and depicted a young female estimated by the investigator to be four to six years old. The video shows a graphic physical encounter between the child and an adult male.
The investigation continued with a subpoena to Mediacom for subscriber information. The response indicated the address belonged to Lane Rees. February 26 a search warrant was issued to America Online for the subscriber information and account details. The investigator located the email with the attached video in the sent file from Rees’ email account. An email was also located in the inbox that contained a file with 74 graphic images with most containing child pornography.
On April 1st, a search warrant was executed at Rees’ residence and an interview was conducted. The investigator says Rees admitted to being the only user of the laptop computer and the email account. Rees also admitted he was the only one with the password to the email account. He also admitted to sending emails within minutes of receiving and sending emails which contained digital media depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Rees has been charged with Possessing Obscene Material Photograph of Sexual Performance by Child and Obscene Communication In State Person Electronic Transmission Child Pornography.
Walton Sheriff Issues Response To Commissioner Statement
After the arrest of community leader Lane Rees on child pornography charges, locals are responding. One statement by county commissioner Cindy Meadows caused Walton Sheriff Mike Adkinson to issue a letter asking Meadows for an apology.
An article posted online Friday by the Walton Sun quotes commissioner Cindy Meadows saying she was shocked by the news and that all are innocent until proven guilty. Meadows further says, “Unfortunately, there are people in Walton County who have vendettas.” WZEP AM 1460 has also heard from residents who are shocked at what Rees is accused of and some who have suggested the arrest was what they call a “set up.”
Walton Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr. posted a letter on his website saying Meadows has questioned the integrity of the organization and decided to imply that an accused child pornographer is being wronged.
In his letter, Sheriff Adkinson says he believes elected officials should conduct themselves on a professional manner with a certain amount of decorum. He says Commissioner Cindy Meadows has crossed the line in her dealing with the men and women of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
Adkinson then explains the Cyber Crimes Unit made the arrest of Rees. He says this was a professional, competent and extremely thorough investigation. The investigation revealed that Rees possessed and transmitted images of children as young as 5 years old being sexually violated. He says the court system will ultimately decide Rees’ fate.
Adkinson then talks about Meadows’ statement and calls it, “personally offensive.” Adkinson says Meadows’ implication in her statement is clear, she is implying that Rees was targeted for political reasons. Sheriff Adkinson says Meadows is right about one thing, “Rees was targeted, he was targeted because his action hurt children in the most vile and graphic way. It is a hurt to children (babies) that will not go away.”
Adkinson says he does not care that Rees was “the republican committeeman and that he was a lay minister or your supporter or mine.” He says, “I will do everything within my ability to see him brought to justice. I don’t play politics with the safety of our children.”
Adkinson says he will be at next Tuesday’s commissioner meeting at 4pm in South Walton and will ask Meadows to explain her statement.
After the arrest of community leader Lane Rees on child pornography charges, locals are responding. One statement by county commissioner Cindy Meadows caused Walton Sheriff Mike Adkinson to issue a letter asking Meadows for an apology.
An article posted online Friday by the Walton Sun quotes commissioner Cindy Meadows saying she was shocked by the news and that all are innocent until proven guilty. Meadows further says, “Unfortunately, there are people in Walton County who have vendettas.” WZEP AM 1460 has also heard from residents who are shocked at what Rees is accused of and some who have suggested the arrest was what they call a “set up.”
Walton Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr. posted a letter on his website saying Meadows has questioned the integrity of the organization and decided to imply that an accused child pornographer is being wronged.
In his letter, Sheriff Adkinson says he believes elected officials should conduct themselves on a professional manner with a certain amount of decorum. He says Commissioner Cindy Meadows has crossed the line in her dealing with the men and women of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
Adkinson then explains the Cyber Crimes Unit made the arrest of Rees. He says this was a professional, competent and extremely thorough investigation. The investigation revealed that Rees possessed and transmitted images of children as young as 5 years old being sexually violated. He says the court system will ultimately decide Rees’ fate.
Adkinson then talks about Meadows’ statement and calls it, “personally offensive.” Adkinson says Meadows’ implication in her statement is clear, she is implying that Rees was targeted for political reasons. Sheriff Adkinson says Meadows is right about one thing, “Rees was targeted, he was targeted because his action hurt children in the most vile and graphic way. It is a hurt to children (babies) that will not go away.”
Adkinson says he does not care that Rees was “the republican committeeman and that he was a lay minister or your supporter or mine.” He says, “I will do everything within my ability to see him brought to justice. I don’t play politics with the safety of our children.”
Adkinson says he will be at next Tuesday’s commissioner meeting at 4pm in South Walton and will ask Meadows to explain her statement.
While friends and fellow Republicans stand by Lane Rees, Walton County’s elected state committeeman, a probable cause affidavit released by the Sheriff’s Office indicates authorities had strong evidence to arrest him Monday on child pornography charges.
The affidavit states a video depicting a man having sex with a girl between 4 and 6 years old was captured by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children after it was sent from Rees’ computer to another person.
Further investigation led to the discovery of a zip file Rees received in an email containing “74 graphic images in which most contained child pornography,” according to the affidavit.
Emails went out from Rees’ computer 6 minutes before and 19 minutes after the zip file was received, the affidavit said. The second was “digitally signed with the name ‘Lane.’”
As a search warrant was being served Monday at his home on Lakeview Drive in Santa Rosa Beach, Rees “admitted to being the only one who had the password to use his email account,” according to the affidavit.
He also admitted to “sending specific emails … within minutes of receiving and sending emails which contained digital media files depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct,” the affidavit says.
Rees, who was charged of possessing and transmitting child pornography, was released from the Walton County Jail on Tuesday after posting a $100,000 bond.
Neither he nor his wife Brenda returned phone calls for comment Thursday.
Friends such as Steve Czonstka, Okaloosa County’s Republican state committeeman, were skeptical of early news reports about the arrest and came to Rees’ defense.
“I kind of resent the Daily News running his arrest on the front page of the newspaper. It’s kind of like they’re trying him in the newspaper,” Czonstka said.
“I was surprised and am still trying to take it with a grain of salt,” he said. “You can compare it to the Ray Sansom thing when he was accused (of grand theft). He got tried in the newspaper and eventually the whole thing was dropped.”
State Rep. Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach, called Rees’ arrest “horrifying” but didn’t cut his fellow Republican any slack.
“It’s horrifying, but it’s a reminder that very creepy people look just like the rest of us,” Gaetz said. “It’s a reminder to keep our guard up.”
Jim Anders, the chairman of the Walton County Republican Executive Committee, said he was “as surprised as everyone else to hear about Lane’s arrest.”
He said he spoke to Brenda Rees and learned she also was shocked to hear the allegations.
Anders said the county’s GOP executive committee will meet April 15. Its members can decide at that time to meet in special session 10 days later to decide whether it will seek to vote Rees off the committee.
A two-thirds vote of the committee is required to remove a member, Anders said.
The Republican Party of Florida also can take action against Rees if it decides to do so, a party official said.
“According to RPOF rules, the executive board has the authority to remove someone from holding a party office. It’s merely a question of if there is a desire to do so,” said the official, who did not want to be identified. “No decision has been made yet.”
State GOP officials meet in Orlando in two weeks.
Rees could also choose to resign, the official said.
The affidavit states a video depicting a man having sex with a girl between 4 and 6 years old was captured by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children after it was sent from Rees’ computer to another person.
Further investigation led to the discovery of a zip file Rees received in an email containing “74 graphic images in which most contained child pornography,” according to the affidavit.
Emails went out from Rees’ computer 6 minutes before and 19 minutes after the zip file was received, the affidavit said. The second was “digitally signed with the name ‘Lane.’”
As a search warrant was being served Monday at his home on Lakeview Drive in Santa Rosa Beach, Rees “admitted to being the only one who had the password to use his email account,” according to the affidavit.
He also admitted to “sending specific emails … within minutes of receiving and sending emails which contained digital media files depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct,” the affidavit says.
Rees, who was charged of possessing and transmitting child pornography, was released from the Walton County Jail on Tuesday after posting a $100,000 bond.
Neither he nor his wife Brenda returned phone calls for comment Thursday.
Friends such as Steve Czonstka, Okaloosa County’s Republican state committeeman, were skeptical of early news reports about the arrest and came to Rees’ defense.
“I kind of resent the Daily News running his arrest on the front page of the newspaper. It’s kind of like they’re trying him in the newspaper,” Czonstka said.
“I was surprised and am still trying to take it with a grain of salt,” he said. “You can compare it to the Ray Sansom thing when he was accused (of grand theft). He got tried in the newspaper and eventually the whole thing was dropped.”
State Rep. Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach, called Rees’ arrest “horrifying” but didn’t cut his fellow Republican any slack.
“It’s horrifying, but it’s a reminder that very creepy people look just like the rest of us,” Gaetz said. “It’s a reminder to keep our guard up.”
Jim Anders, the chairman of the Walton County Republican Executive Committee, said he was “as surprised as everyone else to hear about Lane’s arrest.”
He said he spoke to Brenda Rees and learned she also was shocked to hear the allegations.
Anders said the county’s GOP executive committee will meet April 15. Its members can decide at that time to meet in special session 10 days later to decide whether it will seek to vote Rees off the committee.
A two-thirds vote of the committee is required to remove a member, Anders said.
The Republican Party of Florida also can take action against Rees if it decides to do so, a party official said.
“According to RPOF rules, the executive board has the authority to remove someone from holding a party office. It’s merely a question of if there is a desire to do so,” said the official, who did not want to be identified. “No decision has been made yet.”
State GOP officials meet in Orlando in two weeks.
Rees could also choose to resign, the official said.
Tuesday morning, the South Walton community and beyond reeled in shock from news of high-profile community leader Lane Rees's arrest Monday evening on child pornography charges.
Rees and his wife, Brenda, have been actively involved in the community since moving here in the late 1990s.
Lane worked as a human resources advisor for Atlantic Richfield for 20 years in Houston, Dallas, and Anchorage before moving here and founding Human Resource Solutions Inc., a management consulting company providing human resource expertise for progressive organizations. He consulted for various Walton County organizations for more than 10 years.
In 2000, Rees was elected as a Walton County Commissioner, a position he held for four years, serving as chair in 2001/2002. He was defeated by Scott Brannon.
In 2002, Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Rees to the Florida Medical Examiner Commission. In 2008, he was elected without opposition to the county’s Republican state committee and still serves in that capacity. At that time, Brenda was elected as the county’s state committeewoman.
Considering Rees's position as State Committeeman in the Republican Party, Walton County Republican Party Chairman Jim Anders said on Wednesday that until Rees is convicted of a felony or resigns his position, he has no recourse to remove him.
As of Wednesday morning, Anders had not talked to Lane, but said he had talked to Brenda, who was in Dallas at the time of the arrest and now on her way home.
"Brenda told me she did not know anything about an investigation prior to the arrest and is in shock," said Anders.
Anders said the State Republican Party in Tallahassee is looking at the charges, but he believes Lane should have an opportunity to defend himself. Anders said he had left a voice message on Lane's phone, but the call was not returned.
"I have gotten calls and some people want to call a special meeting, but I am waiting to hear from Lane," said Anders. "We will know better how to proceed after we hear from him."
Lane, who was named the “Community Walton Man of the Year” in 2011, also serves in high-ranking positions and on boards in the United Methodist Church, and on occasion, he preaches.
Current Walton County Commissioner Cindy Meadows told The Sun she was shocked by the news, but added that all are innocent until proven guilty.
"Unfortunately, there are people in Walton County who have vendettas," she said.
Rees was booked in the Walton County Jail on Monday and faces more than 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines if convicted of the possession charge as well as the charge of transmission of child pornography.
On Feb. 25, cyber-crime investigators with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office began the investigation that led to the arrest after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), relating to the possibility of an individual trading in child pornography media files.
Walton County Sheriff Mike Adkinson told The Northwest Florida Daily News Monday that “multiple images” were found at the home during a search Monday.
“Corroborating evidence” supporting the charges “was found at the home,” Adkinson said. “He has for sure got some pretty significant images.”
Rees and his wife, Brenda, have been actively involved in the community since moving here in the late 1990s.
Lane worked as a human resources advisor for Atlantic Richfield for 20 years in Houston, Dallas, and Anchorage before moving here and founding Human Resource Solutions Inc., a management consulting company providing human resource expertise for progressive organizations. He consulted for various Walton County organizations for more than 10 years.
In 2000, Rees was elected as a Walton County Commissioner, a position he held for four years, serving as chair in 2001/2002. He was defeated by Scott Brannon.
In 2002, Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Rees to the Florida Medical Examiner Commission. In 2008, he was elected without opposition to the county’s Republican state committee and still serves in that capacity. At that time, Brenda was elected as the county’s state committeewoman.
Considering Rees's position as State Committeeman in the Republican Party, Walton County Republican Party Chairman Jim Anders said on Wednesday that until Rees is convicted of a felony or resigns his position, he has no recourse to remove him.
As of Wednesday morning, Anders had not talked to Lane, but said he had talked to Brenda, who was in Dallas at the time of the arrest and now on her way home.
"Brenda told me she did not know anything about an investigation prior to the arrest and is in shock," said Anders.
Anders said the State Republican Party in Tallahassee is looking at the charges, but he believes Lane should have an opportunity to defend himself. Anders said he had left a voice message on Lane's phone, but the call was not returned.
"I have gotten calls and some people want to call a special meeting, but I am waiting to hear from Lane," said Anders. "We will know better how to proceed after we hear from him."
Lane, who was named the “Community Walton Man of the Year” in 2011, also serves in high-ranking positions and on boards in the United Methodist Church, and on occasion, he preaches.
Current Walton County Commissioner Cindy Meadows told The Sun she was shocked by the news, but added that all are innocent until proven guilty.
"Unfortunately, there are people in Walton County who have vendettas," she said.
Rees was booked in the Walton County Jail on Monday and faces more than 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines if convicted of the possession charge as well as the charge of transmission of child pornography.
On Feb. 25, cyber-crime investigators with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office began the investigation that led to the arrest after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), relating to the possibility of an individual trading in child pornography media files.
Walton County Sheriff Mike Adkinson told The Northwest Florida Daily News Monday that “multiple images” were found at the home during a search Monday.
“Corroborating evidence” supporting the charges “was found at the home,” Adkinson said. “He has for sure got some pretty significant images.”