A touring drummer with popular Christmas band Mannheim Steamroller has been charged with three felony counts of possession of child pornography, "The Dan O'Donnell Show" has learned exclusively. Logan Penington, 42, was arrested and charged October 21st after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Internet Crimes Against Children reported to West Allis Police that Penington "possibly uploaded suspected child pornography on his email address."
According to a criminal complaint, "said photos consisted of topless and/or nude adolescent females who appeared to be posing for the photos with exposed chest and vaginal areas." Penington, a West Allis native, was arrested and allegedly confessed to police "that there were three images sent to and from his accounts on November 21, 2021 with three different attachments" that Penington knew were of underage girls.
The arresting officer asked Penington "how long [he] has been looking at child pornography and [Penington] said 'a few years here,'" allegedly admitting that "he started in 2013." Investigators said they found child pornography images on email accounts owned by Penington dating back to 2013. Following a search of his home in October, Penington was arrested and charged with three counts of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 75 years in prison and $300,000 in fines.
He posted a $2,000 cash bond on October 26th and was back in court for a preliminary hearing on November 1st. On November 30th, he pleaded not guilty. A status conference is scheduled for January 19th.
Penington joined Mannheim Steamroller in 2008 and, according to his website, "has played well over 500 shows with that group. Since then, Logan has toured the country every Christmas time entertaining thousands of fans to sold out shows all over the nation. In the fall of 2015, Mannheim Steamroller released their latest album 'LIVE,' recorded in surround sound at the Orpheum Theater. 'LIVE' features Logan on drums and percussion."
Mannheim Steamroller has not yet responded for a request for comment on the charges against Penington.
Founded by composer Chip Davis in 1974, the group rose to prominence a decade later when Davis released "Mannheim Steamroller Christmas," featuring modern versions of classic holiday music. Following the release of "A Fresh Aire Christmas" in 1988 and "Christmas in the Aire" in 1995, Mannheim Steamroller achieved worldwide fame. The group tours extensively during the Christmas season with two iterations of the live band (a "red" and "green" version) crisscrossing the United States simultaneously.
Penington's father, the late Chuck Penington, performed with Mannheim Steamroller as a keyboardist for more than 30 years. When the younger Penington was 26, Roy invited him to join the group. It is unclear whether Penington will continue to play with Mannheim Steamroller while his criminal case progresses.