Escape Room Owner Charged With Child Porn Possession
When it comes to child pornography crimes, it’s often the people you least expect. Sadly, popular community members are often charged with these crimes, causing a lot of drama in small towns.
After a month-long investigation, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office recently served a search warrant to the owner of the Locked In escape rooms. The 63-year-old man from Fleming Island was booked into the Clay County Jail after being charged with 10 counts of possession of child porn images.
Detectives from the sheriff’s office received several tips regarding child sexual abuse material and immediately began their investigation, with help from the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force. The Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force consists of members from HSI Jacksonville, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, Duval County Sheriff’s Office.
The law enforcement agencies served search warrants at his home near Doctors Lake and at his business, located in the Silos Shoppes on County Road 220 in Middleburg. Investigators confiscated numerous electronic devices from both places. The man was arrested after an initial review of the devices. His bond was set at $750,030.
The man and his wife have owned Locked In since 2017. It was one of the first escape rooms in Clay County. They have been designing their current “Grinch” game for about a year, creating storylines and scenery.
The investigation is still underway. Anyone with information about the man’s child porn crimes is encouraged to call the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
Child Porn Laws in Florida
Florida has harsh penalties when it comes to child porn crimes. These penalties reflect a zero-tolerance policy approach toward the sexual exploitation of minors.
Examples of child pornography laws in Florida include providing obscene material to a minor (someone under the age of 18), transmission of child sex abuse material by electronic device or equipment, possession of or intentional viewing of sexually explicit conduct by a child, promoting material including sexual content involving a child, and transmitting child pornography by an electronic device.
Even something like sexting can be charged as child porn in some cases. Sexting between two consenting adults is not a criminal offense, but it is if one of the parties is under the age of 18. Also, those under the age of 18 can be accused of possessing child pornography if they possess or send a single image or video of another person who is the same age or younger on a phone or other electronic device.
Contact a Legal Professional for Help
Many people are interested in child pornography. Although illegal, people are attracted to it for many reasons.
If you have been accused of viewing child porn, you need to act quickly to protect yourself. See how a Florida child pornography lawyer from the Law Offices of Gilbert A. Schaffnit can help. We help clients through the criminal defense process and work to protect them from any stigma and negative public exposure. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (352) 505-1799.
Source:
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