MOUNT VERNON, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A Mount Vernon man is in custody after child pornography was discovered on his phone.

Court documents state that a person romantically connected to the suspect contacted police after finding the explicit content late last month.

While the pair were at the suspect’s home in Mount Vernon the night before, the suspect admitted having the content on his phone. The other person borrowed his car with the phone inside, unlocked it, and found the abusive contact.

They told investigators that based on the pair’s intimate history, some of the material likely showed the suspect engaging in child sex abuse.

The phone was turned over to Bellingham Police, after which the suspect realized his phone was missing and threatened to kill the other person.

A warrant for the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Christopher McCullogh, was issued on October 3.

About 25 law enforcement officers from Bellingham and Skagit County were on hand to arrest him on Thursday, Oct. 10, at a residence near Big Lake and search the property. Bellingham Police say McCullough was uncooperative and attempted to hide and destroy evidence before his arrest.

He was arraigned the next day in Whatcom County Superior Court and remains at the Whatcom County Jail on $1 million bond.

BPD is asking anyone who has children that spent time with McCullough or has information regarding his illegal activities to call Det. Allen at 360-778-8784 or to report a tip online at www.cob.org/tips.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic/sexual violence, call 800-656-HOPE (4673) to reach the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

Editor’s note: This story was edited to reflect new information from the Bellingham Police Department.  Last updated: Oct. 11 at 4:51 p.m.