State's top downloader of child porn busted, police say

GIG HARBOR, Wash. — A Gig Harbor man described as an upstanding member of the community and his church has been deemed Washington state’s top downloader of child pornography, authorities said.

Detectives with Washington State Patrol's Missing and Exploited Children's Task Force arrested 46-year-old Elwood "Woody" Anderson for allegedly trading in thousands of images of child pornography.

"Right now, we're talking upwards of 9,000-10,000 images," said Lt. Ron Mead with the Washington State Patrol.

Detectives said they got a tip on the case from the Seattle Internet Crimes Against Children Unit earlier this year and traced Internet activity involving child pornography to Anderson's home.

Detectives served a warrant in July and seized a number of computers and electronic media storage devices.

A thorough analysis of computers revealed images that Mead called disturbing.

"These are hardcore graphic images of underage children,” said Mead.

A man who asked only to be identified as Tony watched as police arrested Anderson Thursday morning.

"It surprises the heck out of me, actually," he said.

That neighbor told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News that Anderson, who goes by Woody, is married, the father of four girls, and according to Tony, one of the nicest people you will ever meet.

"We knew him to be a very upstanding citizen, member of the community, and member of his church community with the Mormon Church,” said Tony.

Anderson is in custody in the Pierce County Jail.  He is expected to make his first court appearance Friday.

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