Former House candidate, wife arrested for child porn

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — A former candidate for the 13th Legislative District has been arrested in Oklahoma City on charges of possession of child pornography.

Benjamin J. Webb, 33, and his wife Tiffany L. Webb, 34, have been taken into custody on two counts of aggravated possession of child pornography and violation of the computer crimes act, according to the Oklahoma City-based News 9.

Benjamin Webb ran against incumbent 13th Legislative District Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg, in the November general election. Webb, who ran as a Democrat, lost decisively to Manweller in the vote, only bringing in 29 percent of the vote, compared to Manweller’s 70 percent.

News 9 reports investigators with the Canadian County (Okla.) Sheriff’s Office received child pornography on an undercover computer program that is designed to detect people who trade child pornography via the Internet. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the Webbs’ Internet service provider and tracked down the location from which the pornography was shared.

The Webbs’ residence was searched and police reportedly confiscated cellphones, tablets and laptops. Hundreds of images of child pornography were reportedly found on the laptops. Canadian County Sheriff Chris West told the Columbia Basin Herald on Wednesday that investigators located several of Benjamin Webb’s 13th Legislative District campaign materials at the Webbs’ residence.

Also recovered at the Webbs’ residence was an “extensive collection” of bestiality videos involving children, according to News 9. The Webbs are currently lodged in the Canadian County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Benjamin Webb’s Facebook page, on which he goes by the name “Jordan,” states he previously worked at Genie Industries in Moses Lake and as a substitute teacher and assistant middle school football coach in Noxon, Mont. In addition, his Facebook page states he previously worked at Open Gate Ranch Youth Group Home in Trout Creek, Mont. and as a football coach at Trout Creek Elementary School in Montana.

West told the Herald the Webbs moved to the Oklahoma City area sometime in the past few months.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.