Gainesville man arrested for possession of child pornography…

A Gainesville man is in jail facing more than a dozen charges related to the alleged possession and distribution of child pornography.

Hall County Sheriff's Office spokesman BJ Williams said Thursday that 25-year-old William Porter Martin was arrested Wednesday after a search of his home on Harmony Church Road.

“Mr. Martin had in his possession six videos and then one photograph, all of young girls performing sexually explicit poses or activities,” Williams said. “He had shared the videos on a social media app.”

Williams said Martin's illegal activity allegedly occurred in July 2023, but the sheriff's office first received a cyber tip about it in June of this year. The sheriff's office investigation reportedly included a search of Martin's workplace.

“At the time of Mr. Martin’s arrest, investigators were able to seize several electronic devices from his residence and also from himself,” Williams said. “Our Special Investigations Unit is in the process of going through everything related to these electronic devices and it is entirely possible that additional charges will be filed as the investigation continues.”

Williams said there was no evidence that the victims in the recovered photos and videos were from the area.

Martin faces seven counts each of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material. He remained in the Hall County Jail without bail as of Thursday afternoon.