News Summary
Ray Reach, a 76-year-old jazz musician from Birmingham, has been convicted on four counts of child pornography possession after a jury deliberation. The case began with a tip from a computer technician in 2014, leading to the discovery of extensive explicit material on Reach’s devices. The trial revealed that Reach had hidden the existence of the pornography, prompting prosecutors to label him a ‘collector’ of illicit content involving children. Following the verdict, he was taken into custody and plans to appeal.
Birmingham – Ray Reach, a 76-year-old jazz musician and educator from Birmingham, has been convicted on four counts of child pornography possession. The verdict was delivered following a jury deliberation that lasted less than an hour on Thursday in Jefferson County.
The conviction stems from an investigation that began in March 2014 when a local computer repair technician alerted the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) about nude images of an underage boy located on Reach’s laptop. After a search warrant was executed at his residence in April 2018, law enforcement seized Reach’s laptop and various other devices, revealing a significant amount of child pornography that prosecutors claim had been amassed over a period of at least ten years.
Prosecutors Tiffany Ould and Nick Taggart presented graphic evidence during the trial, outlining the nature of the content found on Reach’s devices, which displayed sexual acts between children. The trial commenced with jury selection on Monday and culminated in a guilty verdict from a Jefferson County jury.
Reach was recognized in 2017 by local outlets for his contributions to jazz history and has held various teaching roles, including as a former music instructor at Birmingham Southern College and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. At the time of his arrest, he was serving as the director of student jazz programs at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
During the trial, the defense, represented by attorney Herbie Brewer, acknowledged the presence of explicit material but contended that Reach was unaware of its existence. However, prosecutors argued that Reach had taken steps to conceal his collection, such as creating password-protected profiles and renaming files to appear legitimate.
The investigative team from the SBI, which specializes in crimes against children, found that Reach’s collection was not only extensive but also carefully curated, indicating a longstanding pattern of behavior. Deputy District Attorney Tiffany Ould characterized Reach as a “collector” and referred to him as a “sexual deviant who prefers little boys,” emphasizing the seriousness of the charges and the implications of each image as a record of child abuse.
Upon the jury’s verdict, Reach was immediately taken into custody and booked into Jefferson County Jail. He plans to appeal the conviction, asserting his innocence. Sentencing for the case is set for July.
This case has drawn significant attention in the Birmingham community, particularly due to Reach’s prior status as a well-known figure in the jazz scene and his educational contributions. The outcome of this trial serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding child exploitation and the legal measures taken to combat it.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the ramifications of Reach’s actions continue to resonate within the community and highlight the importance of vigilance in protecting children from abuse.
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Additional Resources
- AL.com: Birmingham Jazz Musician Convicted
- Wikipedia: Child Pornography
- CBS42: Ray Reach Found Guilty
- Google Search: Ray Reach Jazz Musician
- Bham Now: Guide to Jazz in Birmingham
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jazz
- AL.com: Tip Led to Child Porn Charges
- Google News: Child Exploitation Alabama
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
