Batesville man faces felony charge following ICAC investigation

A Batesville man faces a felony charge following an investigation into illegal digital material involving a minor, local authorities confirmed this week.

Josue Alexander Cruz, 20, was arrested following a Feb. 12 search of a residence on Neeley Street. The investigation began Jan. 5 after the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) program received a cyber tip from the social media platform Discord regarding the posting of illicit material.

According to an affidavit filed by Investigator Brenda Bittle of the Batesville Police Department, authorities traced the internet activity through records provided by Optimum. Surveillance and follow-up inquiries led investigators to the Neeley Street home.

Batesville Police Chief John Scarbrough stated that Cruz has been preliminarily charged with possession or use of child sexual abuse material, a Class B felony.

In a statement addressing the case (read the full statement below), Scarbrough noted that significant misinformation had circulated on social media regarding the department’s handling of the matter. He dismissed claims that the case would be ignored, emphasizing that methodical investigations are necessary to ensure a successful prosecution.

“The department wants to assure the community that all investigations are conducted in strict accordance with the law,” Scarbrough said. “When investigations are conducted hastily or without proper procedure, the likelihood of failure in court increases substantially.”

Court records indicate that investigators are seeking limited photographic evidence from an identified individual to compare the individual’s physical characteristics with those found in the reported digital files. Scarbrough added that forensic examinations of seized electronic devices are currently underway, which could lead to additional charges.

Cruz was released Feb. 17 on a $250,000 bond.

From the Batesville Police Department:

On Thursday, February 12, 2026, the Batesville Police Department, acting on information received from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence in Batesville, Arkansas. As a result of that search, preliminary charges were filed against Josue Alexander Cruz of Batesville for Possession or Use of Child Sexual Abuse Material, a Class B felony under Arkansas law.

In recent days, significant misinformation has circulated on social media about this case. The department wants to assure the community that all investigations are conducted in strict accordance with the law and the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure to preserve the integrity of every case. Claims suggesting that this matter would be disregarded or “swept under the rug” are unequivocally false.

Thorough, methodical investigations are essential to the pursuit of justice. It is the responsibility of law enforcement to present the prosecutor’s office with carefully gathered facts and legally obtained evidence to support a prosecutable case. When investigations are conducted hastily or without proper procedure, the likelihood of failure in court increases substantially. At the same time, law enforcement must remain mindful that every defendant is entitled to constitutional protections, including the right to a speedy trial and due process, and those rights are respected in every case.

The search warrant executed on February 12 was intended to obtain evidence relevant to this investigation. In cases like this, much of the evidence is digital. Electronic devices are seized pursuant to a warrant, and additional search warrants are then obtained to conduct forensic examinations of those devices, a process that is currently underway. In investigations of this type, additional evidence may be discovered during forensic analysis, which may result in further charges.

Josue Alexander Cruz

Image: Independence County Sheriff’s Office