A Smithfield man has been charged with three felonies pertaining to the alleged production of child pornography.

The Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release its deputies had arrested Kyle Steinbegin, 42, of the 100 block of Williamson Park Lane in Benn’s Grant subdivision on May 23. 

The news release states an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office’s Special Investigations Unit in coordination with the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and other law enforcement agencies began after deputies received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Search warrants and the forensic analysis of digital evidence “led to the discovery of significant evidence, including material indicative of child sexual abuse, as well as evidence of online solicitation and the production of child pornography,” the release states.

The Sheriff’s Office says “multiple victims” of child pornography production have been identified and that the Special Investigations Unit is working with law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions to identify additional victims and suspects.

Steinbegin faces three counts of “use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children,” one of which is listed as a second offense. The charge is prosecuted as a Class 5 felony if the accused is at lease seven years older than the child. Conviction carries a sentence of one to 40 years on each count depending on whether the minor is older or younger than 15.

Steinbegin was taken into custody without incident and is being held at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk. The Sheriff’s Office says additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.

“This arrest highlights the tireless efforts of our investigators and partners to safeguard children from online predators. We will pursue every lead to ensure that justice is served for every victim,” said Sheriff’s Office Lt. Matthew Van Wassen, commander of the Special Investigations Unit.