Bull Shoals man arrested on charges of child abuse and exploitation

BULL SHOALS, Ark. (KAIT) – Arkansas State Police arrested a Bull Shoals man after they say he engaged in graphic sexual chat with a minor.

ASP said in a news release that on Wednesday, Aug. 28, ASP special agents with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted a search warrant at a Bull Shoals home following a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

“During the investigation, officers learned that the suspect, Kenzie Parnell, 63, of Bull Shoals, had initiated a sexually explicit conversation with a 16-year-old female. Parnell continued to chat regularly with the female for approximately two months. Parnell requested and sent her nude images, and Parnell sent unsolicited nude photos to her,” ASP said in a Thursday news release.

Parnell was arrested on Thursday, September 5, and taken to the Marion County Detention Center.

Parnell was charged with possession of child sexual abuse material and computer exploitation of a child.

His bail was set at $75,000.

If convicted, Parnell could spend between 10 and 40 years, or even life, in prison.

Editor’s note: Due to the graphic nature of the charges and to protect the alleged victims, K8 News has decided not to release details of the case.

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