Registered Sex Offender Tries to Outsmart Cary Police

CARY, N.C. — A convicted sex offender accused of possessing child pornography tried to outsmart Cary police by identifying himself as his twin brother, police said.

Authorities kept Kenneth Craig Newsom, 32, in police custody for three days before realizing his real identity was not David Allen Newsom.

"It was his picture, (it) looked like him – the age matched," said Cary police Capt. David Wulff. (Police) took him under custody under that name."

Investigators received an anonymous tip about Newsom's true identity. Kenneth Newsom is listed as a registered sex offender in Idaho. He was convicted of child about 10 years ago, according to authorities. He never registered in North Carolina.

Police arrested Newsom recently after they went to his apartment on Harlon Drive to investigate a noise complaint.

"While we were there, we smelled a strong odor of marijuana and asked for consent to search the apartment. We did not get the consent so we obtained a search warrant," Wulff said.

When police searched the apartment, they found marijuana plants and child pornography that had been printed from a Web site.

Newsom faces a list of charges including obstruction of justice. Police could file more charges.