A Gainesville man was arrested Saturday night after police allege he distributed sexually obscene photographs taken of a female who was a minor at the time the photographs were taken.
According to a Gainesville Police Department report, the 36-year-old man and the female had apparently been involved in a two-year sexual relationship that began when the girl, who is now 18 years old, was 16.
The report alleges that the man knew the victim was 16 years old when the relationship began.
During the course of the relationship, the man is accused of taking several nude pictures of the girl. On Saturday, police claim he signed into the girl’s Facebook account and sent the obscene photographs, some of which allegedly featured the man and the girl involved in a sexual act, to some of the girl’s friends without her consent, according to the report.
After the man’s arrest, police claim he admitted to having sex with the girl and taking the photographs, but he said that the two didn’t engage in any sexual acts until after the victim turned 18. He allegedly admitted to posting and distributing the photos using the victim’s Facebook account, according to the report.
The man was charged with one felony count of sexual assault involving a minor and one felony count of transmitting obscene material harmful to a minor.
He was transported to the Alachua County jail, where he remained Sunday evening without bond.
Most sex crimes involving minors, including the charge of transmission of material harmful to a minor, are crimes that are punished very harshly in Florida. Law enforcement and prosecutors have one goal in mind, and that is to protect children at all costs. With that said, those that are accused of these sexual crimes stand to face very serious repercussions. An individual convicted of such an offense may be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of their lives, in addition to the prison time they will face. Due to the severity of these charges, you need the help of an Alachua County Criminal Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton who can protect you from these heinous allegations both in and out of court.
Any transmission of obscene material to a minor, which includes nudity or sexual conduct, is considered a sex crime. Any indecent material sent by the internet, text message, email, post mail or in person is classified as a third-degree felony. Every individual transmission can be charged as a separate offense. Multiple images can result in many years behind bars. These charges are no joking matter, so the best thing you can do for your future is to contact our firm right away for the help you need in defeating these charges. Call us today for a free consultation – 352-264-7800.