MADISON – Wayde Zane Slocumb was arrested on charges of possession of child pornography, along with dissemination of child pornography, on Dec. 15.

Law enforcement officers with the Criminal Investigation Division of Madison County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Department of Homeland Security executed a search warrant at the mental health center and Slocumb’s home on Mahan Drive in Madison.

Slocumb worked as a counselor with Alabama Psychological Services Center.

As a result of the search, investigators seized all electronic media devices that Slocumb owns and completed a forensic search for that equipment. Slocumb’s charges of possession of child pornography and dissemination of child pornography each carry a set bond of $30,000.

Slocumb was enrolled in a training program for chaplains and was pursuing the status of ordained chaplain, according to Lt. Donny Shaw. Anyone who applies for this training program must undergo an extensive background check and interact in communications with members of the clergy as one component of the required procedures.

Slocumb had not been ordained as a chaplain and was solely in training when he was arrested. Officials removed Slocumb from this training program on the same day that officers served warrants to Slocumb.

Slocumb never functioned as an actual counselor during this timeframe.

Bill Pope, Director of Operations at Alabama Psychological Services Center, released a statement about Slocumb’s arrest:

“We at Alabama Psychological Services center are shocked to learn of the charges against Wayde Zane Slocumb. (The center) has provided practice management services to Mr. Slocumb for many years without incident or complaint,” he said.

The center “remains prepared to cooperate with law enforcement and has no further information regarding the charges. While we are saddened by these circumstances, providing top quality patient care is our #1 priority at Alabama Psychological Services Center. All questions pertaining to this matter should be directed to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department,” Pope said.

Any patient of Slocumb or anyone that believes he or she has been victimized by a sex crime should contact Madison County Sheriff’s Office. The non-emergency number, available 24 hours daily, for the sheriff’s office is 256-722-7181.