Crime

Recognize these Benton County brothers accused of child porn?

Charles and James Long are accused of having child pornography. Benton County detectives are trying to determine if they’ve interacted with any children.
Charles and James Long are accused of having child pornography. Benton County detectives are trying to determine if they’ve interacted with any children. Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.

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  • Detectives say investigators found about 135 images on Charles Long's accounts.
  • Google flagged uploads tied to James' account; warrants uncovered chats.
  • Authorities seek locals; bail is $250,000 (James) and $500,000 (Charles).

Detectives believe there may be more victims of two Benton County brothers accused of downloading child pornography. They’re asking anyone who might recognize them to reach out to police.

One of the men is a registered sex offender.

Charles E. Long, 68, and his brother, James G. Long, 66, both of Plymouth, are each charged with four counts of possessing child pornography after a Benton County Sheriff’s Office investigation turned up more than 100 images showing child sexual abuse.

While the analysis turned up more searches suggesting other victims, detectives haven’t found anyone local who may have been victimized by them, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office said in a release.

There is evidence that at least one of the brothers had conversations of a sexual nature with girls, court documents said. It’s unclear from the conversations how old the girls were.

Now the department is sharing information in hopes of finding anyone in the Tri-City area who has interacted with the men.

They are asking anyone who had contact with the brothers to reach out to Detective Tara Marks, at 509-735-6555 ext. 3867 or by email at tara.marks@co.benton.wa.us.

Bail is set at $250,000 for James Long and $500,000 for Charles Long. They are both being held in the Benton County jail.

The Benton County Kennewick Campus includes the Benton County Justice Center, Jail and administrative offices in Kennewick.
The Benton County Kennewick Campus includes the Benton County Justice Center, Jail and administrative offices in Kennewick. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

Uploading Child Porn

Investigators were initially tipped off by Google on Feb. 22, 2025 that 20 images showing child sexual abuse were uploaded between Aug. 7, 2023 and Feb. 21, 2025, court documents said.

They were tied to James Long’s phone number and email account, and Charles Long’s account with a local internet service provider used in Plymouth.

Police received search warrants for the cellphone information for Charles and James Long as well as Google account information for James Long.

Charles Long’s cellphone records allegedly showed conversations where he talked with people who appear to be girls and sent photographs of himself, court documents said. He normally suggested moving those conversations to Telegram, a chat application.

Charles Long has a previous conviction in 2022 for communicating with a minor for immoral purposes in Benton County Superior Court. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail.

The search also turned up about 135 images showing child sexual abuse attached to Charles Long’s accounts.

Detectives also received warrants for the brothers’ phones, and turned up more images of sexual abuse saved to the phones.

The brothers also admitted to viewing child pornography.

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Cameron Probert
Tri-City Herald
Cameron Probert covers breaking news for the Tri-City Herald, where he tries to answer reader questions about why police officers and firefighters are in your neighborhood. He studied communications at Washington State University.https://mycheckout.tri-cityherald.com/subscribe?ofrgp_id=394&g2i_or_o=Event&g2i_or_p=Reporter&cid=news_cta_0.99-1mo-15.99-on-article_202404
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