A Sparks man is facing several child sex-related charges after an operation by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Human Exploitation and Recovery Operations Unit (HERO).

Deputies say 68-year-old Merlyn Bonham Jr. was arrested Thursday after HERO received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children this past July about Bonham Jr. uploading sexual images to Kik from his home in Sparks. 

Authorities say detectives seized his cell phone after serving a search warrant at his home. They say a digital forensic analysis by the Northern Nevada Cyber Center uncovered further evidence on Bonham’s phone, leading to his arrest.

Bonham is currently being held at the Washoe County Detention Facility on felony charges of possessing, distributing, and using the internet to control child sexual abuse material involving a minor under the age of 16.