Criminal charges against a convicted Red Wing sex offender intensified Monday after investigators discovered child pornography they say he arranged.
Bobby Ray Varnado, 39, was charged Wednesday with seven felony counts of using a minor in a sexual performance. He was charged in December with multiple counts of possessing child porn and had once served a year in jail for a 1995 sex crime conviction.
Varnado was arrested again Tuesday at his 1033 1/2 S. Park St. residence after investigators found more alleged child pornography on CDs kept in Varnado's lock box. He was released from jail later that day after posting $30,000 bail.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Goodhue County District Court, images on the disk portrayed a boy and a girl, both between the ages of 5 and 7. Prosecutors say 10 photos on two disks show the children in various stages of undress, sexual contact and suggestive poses.
The children were identified after relatives were contacted. It was confirmed that the children had been to Varnado's residence in 2007 and that he knew them.
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This week's discovery follows the December raid on Varnado's house, where authorities seized his computers.
Police executed a search warrant there after the FBI flagged Varnado's Internet activity for allegedly sharing photos depicting children engaged in sex acts.
Varnado was convicted in 1995 of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in a case involving sexual abuse of two prepubescent boys. After serving jail time, Varnado was placed on probation, which he completed in 2003.
The latest charges each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years and $20,000. Varnado's next court hearing is April 3.
