LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued a statement regarding the involvement of his office in the arrest of Marcus Allen Abeyta, 31, of Emporia, Kansas. Abeyta faces one federal count of production of child pornography involving a minor residing in Arkansas.
"Bringing child pornographers to justice requires collaboration across multiple jurisdictions including, in this matter, federal, military, and state law enforcement," Griffin stated. "Abeyta is not a member of the military, but my office took the lead on this case because the victim is the child of parents stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base."
Griffin further noted that during their investigation, it was discovered that Abeyta is a suspect in numerous other criminal investigations involving child exploitation in other states. He expressed gratitude towards his office’s Special Investigations Division for their close cooperation with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Abeyta was arrested on May 16 at his residence. His cell phone was seized for digital forensic examination, which led to the identification of other minor victims across various parts of the country. HSI and Griffin’s office are continuing to examine evidence to identify additional potential victims.
Currently held in Kansas at Butler County Jail, Abeyta awaits transfer to Little Rock by the U.S. Marshals Service.
About Attorney General Tim Griffin:
Tim Griffin was sworn in as the 57th Attorney General of Arkansas on January 10, 2023. He previously served as Arkansas's 20th Lieutenant Governor from 2015-2023 and as the representative for Arkansas’s Second Congressional District from 2011-2015. During his tenure in Congress, he served on several committees including Ways and Means, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Ethics, and Judiciary.
Griffin has been an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps for over 27 years and currently holds the rank of colonel. His military service includes active duty as an Army prosecutor with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Mosul, Iraq.
In addition to his role as Attorney General and military service, Griffin has held various positions within government including U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Special Assistant roles under President George W. Bush's administration.
Griffin holds degrees from Hendrix College and Tulane Law School and attended graduate school at Oxford University. He resides in Little Rock with his wife Elizabeth and their three children.
###