THOMASVILLE — A 26-year-old Thomas County man who told authorities he works at a mental health facility has been charged with 10 counts of child pornography.

The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office has charged Tommy Michael Young, 1525 Summerhill Road, Lot 87, in the case.

Young told investigators he is employed at the Behavior Health Crisis Center, said Lt. Tim Watkins, sheriff’s office chief investigator. A woman who answered the phone at the Crisis Center Monday said the person in charge was not available.

An alert was issued Friday for Young. He was found five hours later at a Thomasville business.

In early September, the sheriff’s office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force received information that Young visited Internet sites and viewed images that were possibly child pornography, Watkins said.

ICAC sent an image of a nude child to the sheriff’s office.

“We did an interview and found out what search engine he used, and they are consistent with child pornography,” Watkins said, adding that the pornography was being viewed on the suspect’s home computer.

ICAC can determine if images are being shared, Watkins said.

Thomasville Police Department forensic unit conducted a search of Young’s phone and computers. Watkins said several hundred images and videos were recovered.

Bond was set at $1,500 on each count. Bond conditions stipulate the $15,000 bond can be paid by a bondsman only. Cash or property bonds will not be accepted.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820