A Gamaliel man residing on Fout Rd was arrested Monday, April 27th, on forty-nine separate charges related to child pornography. MICHAEL RAYMOND WAMSER, 61 years of age, was arrested while at the Baxter County Court Complex on an outstanding bench warrant obtained by the Arkansas State Police following an investigation into crimes related to child exploitation. The warrant was issued on April 22nd. WAMSER was taken to the Baxter County Detention Center for booking.
Officers with the Arkansas State Police and the Sheriff’s Office then served a search warrant on WAMSER’S residence on Fout Road in conjunction with his arrest. During this search, additional child pornography materials were found and seized. A large number of firearms were also found during the search. Drugs and drug paraphernalia were found as well.
As the search continued, an explosive device of the type commonly referred to as a “pipe bomb” was found inside a closet. Personnel with the Arkansas State Police bomb squad were then called to the scene to collect and dispose of the device.
Explosive Device
MICHAEL WAMSER was booked into the Detention Center initially on the charges specified in the arrest warrant:
Pandering or Possessing Medium Depicting Sexual Conduct with a Child (34 counts) – Felonies
Distributing, Possessing, Viewing Matters Depicting Child Sexual Contact (15 counts) – Felonies
WAMSER has a bond of $150,000 on these initial charges, for which he will appear before the Circuit Court for first appearance today, April 28th.
Additional charges are pending in connection with the results of yesterday’s search warrant at WAMSER’S residence, which will result in the bond amount being increased. An update will be provided when those charges have been determined and filed.
MICHAEL WAMSER was currently out on bond awaiting trial following a previous arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges, including Aggravated Assault and Terroristic Threatening, on July 26, 2025. He is scheduled for jury trial on those charges on August 10, 2026.
