PORTAGE | The owner of Budget Truck Rental on U.S. 6 in Portage was charged Tuesday with possessing child pornography at his store and at his home.

David C. King, 65, who lives at 76 Colonial Ave., Valparaiso, was charged with two felony counts of child exploitation and five felony counts of possession of child pornography. He faces up to 31 years in prison if convicted of the charges.

Portage Detective Cpl. Joe Reynolds stated in court documents that an official at the business next to Budget Truck Rental tipped off police June 20. Police said officials at the neighboring business stated King possessed child porn on his computer and had binders of photographs of child porn.

The officials provided police with a photograph that reportedly came from King. One of the employees of the neighboring business said one of King's employees continually would visit to comment on "how sick Dave is" for looking at pictures of naked boys on the computer.

Reynolds said police obtained search warrants for King's home and business, which is located at 5463 U.S. 6. Police said the July 23 search turned up numerous pictures of child porn and videos at his home and business. They said much of the material at the business was readily available to employees.

Police said King admitted he likes to look at naked boys on Web sites, started checking Internet sites several years ago and spends an hour on the pursuit each day.

Reynolds said there is no indication King was sending or receiving child pornography but rather acquired it from Web sites.

Telephone calls to the Budget rental store in Portage were answered by a recording stating, "The location is currently unavailable," but that reservations can be made through the national reservation center.