Memphis man charged for uploading over 100 child exploitation files

The 48-year-old suspect is accused of uploading images depicting minors in sexual situations over a year-long period.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A 48-year-old Memphis man named Michael Francis has been arrested and charged after investigators found over 100 files depicting child sexual abuse material uploaded to his Google account. The investigation began when Google forwarded 43 complaints through the CyberTipline by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, which traced the IP address to the Memphis area. After a search warrant was executed, Francis was taken into custody and is currently being held on a $75,000 bond at the Shelby County Jail.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing challenge of combating the distribution and possession of child exploitation material online, which can have severe psychological and emotional impacts on the victims. It also underscores the importance of technology companies, law enforcement, and child advocacy organizations working together to identify and prosecute those involved in these heinous crimes.

The details

According to court documents, the files uploaded by Francis depicted prepubescent minors either engaging in sexual behavior or posing in a sexual manner. The investigation began when Memphis Police received 43 complaints from Google that were forwarded through the CyberTipline by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), which traced the IP address of the user who uploaded the files to the Memphis metro area. After a search warrant was executed on the Google account, the files were found, and Francis was taken into custody.

  • The incidents occurred for more than a year between May 2024 and October 2025.

The players

Michael Francis

A 48-year-old Memphis resident who is accused of uploading over 100 files depicting child sexual abuse material to his Google account.

Memphis Police

The law enforcement agency that received the initial complaints from Google and NCMEC, leading to the investigation and arrest of the suspect.

Google

The technology company that forwarded 43 complaints through the CyberTipline by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, which helped trace the IP address to the Memphis area.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)

The child advocacy organization that received the complaints from Google and assisted in the investigation by tracing the IP address to the Memphis metro area.

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What’s next

Francis is currently being held on a $75,000 bond at the Shelby County Jail. The judge will determine whether to grant him bail at a hearing on February 20th.

The takeaway

This case underscores the critical importance of technology companies, law enforcement, and child advocacy organizations working together to identify and prosecute those involved in the distribution and possession of child exploitation material, in order to protect vulnerable minors and hold perpetrators accountable.