Pasco School Employee Facing Federal Child Porn Charges

A Pasco County school employee was released from the Pinellas County Jail Thursday night on a $50,000 surety bond after being accused of possessing child pornography.

He is facing several federal child pornography charges.

According to an FBI investigation, the 20-year Pasco school employee had child pornography in his home.

As part of his release, the after-school childcare program assistant site administrator at a Pasco County elementary school had to put his home up as collateral, move in with his parents, was ordered to not have any contact of any kind with children, not use the internet, wear a GPS device and tell his current employer about the charges he now faces.

The man allegedly had 100 discs of child pornography hidden in an air conditioning unit at his Port Richey home, according to an FBI investigation. Authorities claim they seized the pornography during a raid of his home on Tuesday.

Reports indicate that the FBI was investigating a Shutterfly group that contained about 17,000 child porn images. An FBI Task Force alleges that the man shared at least 21 images and nine videos with the group depicting male minors participating in sexual activity. The FBI group apparently tracked down the man’s IP address from the group, which led police to his home.

A school district spokesperson said the man will be placed on suspension without pay for now.

The man, who had a 6-year-old adopted son living with him, has no prior criminal record. The child is currently in protective custody.

According to authorities, the man told them he never committed any offenses against children. Investigators did say the man has been very cooperative with the investigation.

A simple accusation of possessing child pornography carries a social stigma strong enough to negatively impact all aspects of your life, which is why you cannot let these charges linger. Addressing such allegations as soon as possible can help to mitigate the social and criminal consequences that are attached to these types of offenses. A Pasco County Child Pornography Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can immediately start aggressively defending you against these charges in hopes of minimizing damages.

A child pornography conviction will require you to register as a sexual offender, a status that will follow you no matter where you live. Being labeled a sex offender is a devastating status that can limit where you live and work. Because of this, it is very important to discuss your case with a sex crimes defense lawyer right away.

If you believe you are under investigation for child pornography, or know someone who has been charged with a child pornography charge, please call a Pasco County Child Pornography Attorney at Whittel & Melton today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online. As soon as you speak with us we can immediately begin taking the necessary steps to protect your rights, even before charges are filed. Should charges already be filed, we can work to establish as powerful a line of defense as time and resources permit to combat the consequences of a conviction.