Garrett Michael Highlander has been arrested after allegedly boasting about his child pornography collection in online chatrooms under the username “MrChildPorn.”
Highlander, 20, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was taken into custody on Friday following a tip to West Virginia State Police from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip concerned a man “boasting of his large cache of ‘child porn,'” according to authorities.
The suspect allegedly posted frequently on Discord, the popular messaging platform, using usernames including “MrChildPorn” and “MrToxix” while distributing illicit material. Other users on the messaging boards grew so frustrated with his behavior that they filed complaints, reporting that Highlander “would not stop sending” explicit images of minors to them via direct message, according to a criminal complaint.
When investigators questioned him, Highlander offered a startling explanation for his conduct. He told state troopers that he would engage in this behavior because “he was ‘trolling’ and ‘rage-baiting’ because he found it highly amusing.”
The investigation took a darker turn when authorities examined Highlander’s electronic devices. Upon confiscating his devices, officers recovered a photo of a young, prepubescent girl in a compromising position with “cuts on her arms and legs.” The discovery added a disturbing dimension to an already grim case.
Highlander now faces serious legal consequences for his alleged actions. He has been charged with possession of material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, a felony offense under West Virginia law.
Following his arrest, Highlander was booked into North Central Regional Jail, where he awaits further court proceedings. The facility, located in Doddridge County, serves as a regional detention center for north-central West Virginia.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the exploitation of children through digital platforms and the brazenness with which some individuals operate online. Discord, which has faced scrutiny over moderation of its servers and direct messaging features, has become a frequent vector for the distribution of illegal material according to law enforcement statistics.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which fielded the initial tip in this case, serves as the nation’s clearinghouse for reports of child sexual exploitation. The organization processes millions of tips annually and forwards actionable intelligence to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
Highlander remains in custody at North Central Regional Jail pending his next court appearance.