Case of Mobile florist charged with child porn heads to grand jury, new testimony shared in court
A detective testified that infant children were included in the over 100 videos of child sexual abuse content found in Tyler McIlwain’s possession
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The case of a local florist arrested on child pornography charges is heading to a grand jury.
Back in February, an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation landed 30-year-old Tyler McIlwain of Mobile in jail.
McIlwain has served as a well-known event florist on the Gulf Coast, and he also volunteered at Camp Smile, a camp for children with special needs.
Deputies say McIlwain hit their radar when the ICAC unit received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in July 2024. Court records allege child sexual abuse material was found on a Snapchat account registered to ‘Tyler Matthews Creations LLC,’ the name for McIlwain’s floral business.
Deputies arrested McIlwain at his home in West Mobile on February 20 and charged him with five counts of possessing child pornography and five counts of distributing it. Investigators say they discovered the child sexual abuse material on McIlwain’s phone and computer. Court records show McIlwain’s laptop, desktop computer, and phone were seized.
The next day, McIlwain bonded out of Metro Jail after posting a $250,000 bond. He later pleaded not guilty at his arraignment a week later.
On Thursday morning, McIlwain appeared in Judge Bucci’s courtroom for a preliminary hearing. FOX10 News was in the courtroom.
During the hearing, MCSO Detective Andrew Frost testified that a forensic, onsite exam was executed on McIlwain’s phone. Detective Frost testified that McIlwain was read his Miranda Rights and that McIlwain confirmed the Snapchat account did belong to him. The detective also testified that over 100 pictures and videos of child sexual abuse were found on McIlwain’s phone.
The detective also noted the Telegram App found on McIlwain’s phone. When asked about the app, Detective Frost says McIlwain initially told officers that he deleted it, but McIlwain later admitted that it was on his phone.
The Telegram App is a Russian-based, social media and instant messaging service that allows users to access chats from multiple devices. Detective Frost says the Telegram App does not accept search warrants from law enforcement, and that he obtained a search warrant from the circuit court in order to view the Telegram account on McIlwain’s phone.
Detective Frost testified that the pornographic videos in McIlwain’s possession depicted children who appeared to be as young as 3 months up to 15 years old. Detective Frost says the ages of the children in the explicit content are not confirmed, but assumed based on visual observation.
In court, state prosecutors argued that “the videos speak for themselves”.
Judge Bucci stated there was sufficient probable cause to bind the case over to a grand jury.
FOX10 News reached out to McIlwain’s attorney, Maxine Walters, for a statement. She declined to share a statement.
McIlwain remains out of jail on bond. His bond conditions remain the same. He’s not allowed to have contact with minors, he can’t use electronic devices unless it’s for work, and he can only call a few family members. His passport was also taken.
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