Former police officer arrested for child abuse material

A former police officer from Tuscaloosa has been arrested for possessing child sexual abuse material. Corey Nicholas Burcham, 35, faces 10 counts related to this serious charge. Tuscaloosa Police spokesperson Stephanie Taylor confirmed the arrest. The West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force began investigating Burcham after receiving a tip on March 12. They seized electronic devices that belonged to him and found multiple images of child sexual abuse on his phone. Burcham was arrested on Monday shortly after noon at his home in Tuscaloosa County. He was taken into custody by Chief Brent Blankley and other officers from the police department. As of Monday afternoon, he remained in jail, awaiting a bond hearing. Chief Blankley stated that Burcham will not continue serving as a police officer. He emphasized the department's commitment to public trust and the protection of children. Burcham had been a patrol officer since January 2019 and was dismissed from his position on March 12.