Grafton man arrested on child porn charges
Law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at the residence of Paul E. Buresh, 37, of Grafton last Wednesday, Jan. 4, at about noon.
What they found was an extensive cache of child pornography located on Buresh’s computer, according to Walsh County State’s Attorney Barb Whelan.
Buresh is charged with 15 counts of unlawful possession of images of sexual conduct by a minor. Each count of unlawful possession of images of sexual conduct by a minor reads the same and accuses him of being a person who, knowing of its character and content, knowingly possessed a photograph or other visual representation that includes sexual conduct by a minor. Specifically, on or about January 4, 2012 and in days prior, Buresh possessed a video showing a minor child engaged in sexual conduct. This video was located on a computer with an Internet Protocal (IP) address registered to Buresh. The computer was connected to the Internet at his residence on 4th Street.According to Special Agent Jesse Smith with the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations Buresh appeared in front of Judge M. Richard Geiger on Thursday, where bail was set at $150,000. He remains in custody at the Walsh County Law Enforcement Center. All 15 counts are Class C felonies punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison and or a $5,000 fine.
Buresh indicated to Judge Geiger that he would be applying for a court appointed attorney. No date has been set for a preliminary hearing and or his arraignment.
Other law enforcement agencies involved in the execution of the search warrant were Homeland Security International, Grafton Police Department, Walsh County Sheriff’’s Office and the Grand Forks Narcotics Task Force.