81-Year-Old Arrested in Shocking Child Abuse Material Case

Tallahassee, Florida, USA - In a troubling turn of events, an 81-year-old man from Tallahassee, Florida, has been arrested for possession of child sexual abuse material. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) took Bradley Damron III into custody on June 20, following a detailed investigation that began just days earlier.

This case emerged when a local computer repairman discovered files containing disturbing images of child sexual abuse on a device he was fixing. He promptly reported his findings to the FDLE, prompting immediate action. Now facing five felony counts, Damron’s arrest reflects a broader statewide initiative aimed at combating the exploitation of children. The prosecution will be managed by the Office of the State Attorney for the Second Judicial Court, who are continuing their investigation into this disturbing matter.

Broader Context of Child Exploitation

As the charges against Damron unfold, it’s essential to consider the wider landscape of child abuse material being shared and sold online. In a related case, eight individuals are facing charges related to an international child sex abuse operation that implicated seven residents of Florida. This crackdown was unveiled during a conference in Tampa led by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and various officials. The investigation began in July 2024, when agents discovered a chat room linked to a website selling child pornography, which led to some shocking revelations.

Among the details, one agent purchased a staggering 6.7 terabytes of material—equivalent to roughly 1.2 million videos and photos—for only $100. This particular website was shut down within a week of the investigation’s initiation, highlighting the urgent need to combat such heinous activities online.

• Krunalkumar Nareshbhai Modi from New Jersey was identified as a „money mole.“ His home was searched, revealing extensive child sex abuse content.
• Ximena Del Real Maqueda from Portland, Oregon, was found to be facilitating the sale of these materials; a warrant is out for her arrest on money laundering charges.
• Authorities are also searching for Mehmet Berk Bozuyuk from Turkey, identified as the ringleader of this operation, who used sophisticated means to hide his identity.
• Seven individuals from Florida have been arrested for purchasing child sex abuse material through a TikTok portal, including Brett Snodderly from Clearwater and Israel Thompson from Lakeland.

This situation underscores the urgent need for community vigilance and effective law enforcement in the fight against child exploitation. As the FDLE continues its investigation into these matters, it stands as a reminder that this is not merely a local issue, but a global challenge requiring both local and international collaboration.

The crackdown on such deplorable activities gives hope to many who are tirelessly striving to protect our children from harm. The ongoing investigations are not just about prosecutions; they are about sending a strong message that Florida will not tolerate child exploitation in any form. As the community grapples with these frightening developments, the emphasis must remain on prevention, education, and robust law enforcement efforts.

For continued coverage of this developing story, visit ABC Action News and Fox 13 News.