FRIENDSWOOD — A Friendswood man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of possession of child pornography after authorities executed a search warrant at a residence on Piney Woods Drive.

According to a press release from the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, the arrest was made Tuesday, June 24, following a cyber-tip received from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). The tip prompted an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division – Major Crimes Unit in partnership with the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

During the operation, investigators seized electronic devices from the home. Andrew Laurents, 27, was identified as a suspect and taken into custody. He is facing four counts of possession of child pornography involving victims younger than 10 years old. His bond was set at $200,000.

The Sheriff’s Office credited the Houston Metro ICAC Task Force for its role in the investigation. The task force includes members from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Galveston, Pearland Police Department, La Marque Police Department, La Porte Police Department, Texas City Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Additional support was provided by the Galveston County Crime Scene Unit and Crime Reduction Unit.