A Polk County gymnastics coach is facing 40 additional child pornography charges after investigators initially charged him in January.
The 21-year-old man has been charged with another 40 counts of possession of child pornography. He was already charged with 22 counts previously. He is being held at the Polk County Jail with no bond.
The man is a member of the Junior Olympics team and a youth coach at Elite World Gymnastics in Lakeland.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, an additional investigation allegedly found more images and videos of child porn in a Dropbox account owned by the man.
Authorities initially received a tip that the man was downloading child pornography at the gymnastics center that his parents own and operate.
Officials claim the man also taught group and private classes to children as young as 3-years-old — the same ages as the children he’s accused of downloading images of, investigators said.
The Sheriff’s Office claims the man confessed to downloading child pornography and said he’s been doing it since 2011.
From possession of child pornography to the production and/or distribution, charges of child porn carry grave consequences. Following an accusation of this crime, you need to get legal help as soon as possible to make sure your rights are protected. At Whittel & Melton, our Florida Child Pornography Defense Attorneys are prepared to provide you with the aggressive defense you need.
If you have been caught with child porn on your computer or in your possession, it is imperative that you invoke your rights to remain silent and contact a sex crimes defense lawyer as quickly as possible. Our Florida Sex Crimes Lawyers at Whittel & Melton have the experience needed to defend against child pornography and other sexually based offenses.
We offer a in person or free phone consultation to discuss your situation and determine how we can help. To arrange a meeting, please call us today at 727-847-2299. Or, if you prefer, you can contact us online.