TV Station Employee Faces Child Porn Charges
People are attracted to various types of pornography. If it involves consenting adults, then it is legal to view and possess. However, if it involves children and animals, then it is illegal.
An employee at a Florida TV station is facing criminal charges after he was caught with various sexually explicit materials of an illegal nature. Specifically, he had child sex abuse material and bestiality images on his electronic devices.
The 57-year-old man, an IT manager at a Tampa PBS TV station WEDU, was arrested on March 10. He faces six counts of child pornography possession as well as another five counts of filming or possessing images or videos of sexual activity with an animal.
Hillsborough County detectives served a search warrant at a residence near Black Swan Court and Williams Road in Seffner. Detectives found five videos containing bestiality and six images and videos of child sexual abuse material that were saved on the man’s electronic devices.
In all, detectives seized more than 40 hard drives, which are pending forensic processing.
The investigation continues. It is unknown if the man is in jail or if any bail has been set.
Florida Bestiality Laws
Bestiality refers to sexual activity with animals. Under Florida law, it is a sex crime to have any sexual contact with an animal of any kind. This includes having sexual intercourse with the animal or stroking an animal’s sex organs for sexual pleasure. Touching an animal’s reproductive organs is not considered a crime when done for purposes involving veterinarian practices, animal husbandry, breeding purposes, or conformation judging practices. Otherwise, even the slightest sexual contact with an animal can lead to a charge of bestiality.
Florida is one of 42 states that have bestiality laws. Eight states and the District of Columbia do not have such laws. Florida’s law is fairly recent, as it was just passed in 2011. The penalties were increased in 2021, raising it from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony. Anyone convicted of this offense could face up to five years in prison and will be banned from owning an animal or working at a place where animals are present.
Florida is strict on bestiality, as bestiality and child porn are often connected. In many situations, those who enjoy viewing bestiality also enjoy watching child porn, as police often find both child sex abuse materials and bestiality images when performing investigations.
Contact a Legal Professional for Help
People can be attracted to various types of pornographic materials. It’s important to realize that some are not even legal to possess or even view.
If you are facing legal issues due to child porn crimes, seek legal help right away. A Florida child pornography lawyer from the Law Offices of Gilbert A. Schaffnit will work hard to defend you and get you the best outcome possible. To schedule a consultation with our office, fill out the online form or call (352) 505-1799.
Source:
wtsp.com/article/news/crime/it-manager-tampa-tv-station-child-porn-arrest/67-3ba8e21f-0c76-49e2-b812-b5a23115e3bf