Maine Artist Charged With Possession of Child Pornography

A nationally-known artist living in Maine has been charged with possession of child pornography after police say thousands of explicit images were found on his computer.

Maine State Police arrested 58-year-old Robert Ransley on Wednesday at his home in Newcastle, according to Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland.  The State Police Computer Crimes Unit charged Ransley with possessing sexually explicit material of someone under the age of 12.  He was taken to the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.

Earlier this month, Ransley's computer was seized and an analysis by computer technicians showed thousands of images of child porn.  McCausland said none of the victims are believed to be from Maine.

Ransley's  oil paintings are displayed in art galleries nationwide. According to his website, Ransley moves from place to place every couple of years and has previously lived in Florida, Georgia, Missouri and Arizona.