Hanover woman charged with possessing child sexual abuse material and animal sex abuse

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Hanover woman was arrested and charged with possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and sexual abuse of an animal in mid-October.

The Hanover County Sheriff's Office reportedly received a cyber tip on July 25 regarding a person in possession of CSAM.

Officials determined through an investigation that the tip was connected to an electronic device belonging to Sarah Stepp Buchanan, a Hanover County resident.

Investigators interviewed Buchanan and found additional probable cause, then arrested her for one count of possession of CSAM and nine counts of sexual abuse of an animal.

A search warrant was carried out at Buchanan's home in Hanover on Tuesday, Oct. 14, and investigators are continuing to search electronic devices recovered there.

The sheriff's office will continue to investigate.