By Allison Peck
A former North Platte police investigator is facing federal charges involving child sexual abuse material after a federal judge determined Tuesday there is probable cause for the case to move forward.
John T. Deal, 46, appeared Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska in North Platte. The federal court lists the case as United States v. John Deal, 4:26-mj-03123-JMD-1, with U.S. Magistrate Judge Jacqueline M. DeLuca presiding.
Following the hearing, Deal was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Federal court records indicate the judge cited concerns about Deal appearing for future proceedings and the potential risk he poses to the public.
The federal criminal complaint was unsealed Tuesday. The filing alleges investigators found child sexual abuse material on electronic devices associated with Deal following a search of his North Platte residence.
According to the reported contents of the complaint, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Deal's home August 4. Investigators reportedly seized a computer tower, tablet and cell phone.
The filing is reported to describe evidence found on those devices involving online activity through TOR, or The Onion Router, a system that can provide anonymity while browsing the internet.
Investigators reportedly identified dozens of TOR addresses associated with child sexual abuse material. The complaint is also reported to describe additional websites that had previously been shut down following action involving the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The desktop computer is reported to have contained 82 files investigators identified as child sexual abuse material. The reported contents of the complaint indicate investigators were continuing to review the computer evidence.
The investigation reportedly began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTip connected to a financial transaction. The complaint is reported to identify transactions associated with an account linked to Deal, including one involving cryptocurrency.
The federal charges involve receipt of child sexual abuse material, access with intent to view child sexual abuse material, and possession of child sexual abuse material.
Deal's law-enforcement background is a significant part of the case. He spent approximately 21 years with the North Platte Police Department and worked on investigations involving crimes against children.
The complaint is reported to say Deal was assigned to Nebraska's Internet Crimes Against Children task force and began investigating child sexual abuse cases in 2022 while working with Homeland Security Investigations.
A U.S. Department of Justice report has previously identified Deal as a North Platte police detective assigned to the Cooperative Operation for Drug Enforcement, or CODE, task force.
The reported contents of the federal complaint also indicate investigators found evidence suggesting some files had been downloaded to a personal device years before Deal's involvement with the child-exploitation task force.
Deal is no longer employed by the North Platte Police Department.
The federal case remains in its early stages. The allegations contained in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court, and the charges are not findings of guilt.
Deal is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted.
The North Platte Post is continuing to seek the underlying federal court documents and further investigation. The story will be updated as additional official information becomes available.