Rockwall, Texas – Stacey Christian Owens, a 49-year-old resident of Rockwall, was sentenced to 50 years in prison last week by Judge Brett Hall of the 382nd District Court. The man entered a guilty plea to five counts of possession of child pornography.
Rockwall police started the investigation into the case in February 2022
In July 2022, officers and detectives from the Rockwall Police Department executed a search warrant at the Rockwall residence of Stacey Christian Owens. This search followed an extensive investigation that had begun in February of the same year. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) played a pivotal role in initiating the inquiry. Google had alerted NCMEC after detecting child pornography within a Gmail account. The crucial information was subsequently relayed to the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. One of the task force members, Rockwall PD Det. Philip Young, was instrumental in linking the suspicious Gmail account directly to Owens.
During the execution of the search warrant, Texas Ranger Bruce Sherman interviewed Owens. Meanwhile, the detectives scoured his residence, confiscating electronics, including Owens’ laptop and cell phone. Det. Philip Young’s thorough examination of these devices revealed a staggering 14,000 files containing explicit child imagery. It was emphasized that no local Rockwall County children were recognized in the obtained videos and photos. Disturbingly, the content depicted the severe abuse of minors, including infants. Owens’ devices also contained disturbing messages, where he openly shared his perverse inclinations.
The history of Owens’ criminal activities is not new. In 2002, he was charged with indecent exposure in Dallas after revealing himself to an undercover police officer. He had also previously been convicted in 2007 for unlawful possession of methamphetamine.
Rockwall County Assistant District Attorney Justin Almand remarked on the case, stating, “What Stacey Owens did in the darkness is now in the light.”
He expressed gratitude for the expertise of local law enforcement in handling cybercrimes. District Attorney Kenda Culpepper also voiced her concerns, highlighting the deeply unsettling nature of these crimes occurring within the community, while hoping the sentence serves as a deterrent for others.