Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Darrin Bell, whose work frequently appears in The Washington Post, has been arrested in Sacramento on suspicion of possessing child pornography.
The 49-year-old illustrator was taken into custody on Wednesday after investigators discovered 134 videos of child pornography, along with AI-generated child pornography, during a search of his home. The search was conducted following a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAC).
READ: Largo Man Dies From Injuries Following Christmas Day Attempted Murder-Suicide
Bell was booked into the Sacramento County Jail and charged with felony possession of obscene matter depicting a person under 18. His bail has been set at $1 million, and he is expected to appear in court on Friday.
The arrest comes as a shock to many, especially given Bell’s outspoken advocacy for social justice and human dignity. In a May 2024 interview, Bell stated, “I want [readers] to take away that we need to be more respectful of human dignity. That’s the common thread I try to weave through every cartoon that I draw.”
READ: Two Tavernier Teens Arrested In Nude Photo Case: Monroe County Sheriff
Bell is widely known for his comic strip “Candorville,” which The Washington Post published as recently as Wednesday morning. His work often satirizes political figures and promotes social justice causes. He also authored “The Talk,” a graphic memoir addressing racism and police brutality. Bell received the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning in 2019.
Bell’s case is reportedly the first in Sacramento to involve AI-generated child pornography since the city enacted a new law criminalizing such content on January 1st, 2025.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
