NewsWest 9
HOBBS - Mark Laster, 38, was arrested Wednesday on 20 counts of viewing, possessing and distributing child pornography, Hobbs Police told NewsWest 9.
If convicted of all charges, Laster faces up to 72 years behind bars, according to officials.
Deputy Chief Brian Dunlap said the investigation was a joint effort between the Hobbs Police Department and the New Mexico Attorney General's Office.
"The search warrant revealed 30-plus pieces of evidence [including] computer images and videos with underage pornography," he said.
NewsWest 9 spoke with five residents near Laster's home at 1209 E Michigan Drive. They requested anonymity and declined to appear on camera, but all said they were "shocked" and "horrified" by the arrest.
"This is just really disturbing because there are so many children on this block," said one neighbor. "We had no idea anything like this was going on. [Laster] lived here for about 3 or 4 years, but always kept to himself."
According to Dunlap, none of the minors featured in the videos and images consumed by Laster reside in the United States.
"Some of them mentioned specifically in the reports were from Russia," he told NewsWest 9.
Police records reveal graphic details and titles of the videos allegedly viewed and distributed by Laster. One child featured in the material is described as a "10-year-old Russian girl."
