The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has arrested Joseph Allen Watson, 53, of Land O’Lakes, on multiple felony charges related to the possession and transmission of child sexual abuse material. Watson, a music teacher at Oakstead Elementary School, was taken into custody as part of FDLE’s ongoing statewide initiative targeting individuals who exploit children and share child sexual abuse files.
“It’s hard to find a more depraved example of someone who betrayed the local community’s trust than this defendant—a soon-to-be-former elementary school teacher who is now charged with multiple counts of possession and promotion of child pornography,” stated Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Thanks to the work of our law enforcement partners, this predator is off our streets and will now face our Statewide Prosecutors, who will ensure he is held accountable for his heinous actions.”
FDLE Tampa Bay Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Mark Brutnell emphasized the agency’s commitment to rapid response in such cases. “FDLE continues to set the bar for what rapid response looks like,” said SAC Brutnell. “It is because of our partnerships at every level of law enforcement that we can continue to protect the community through diligent investigation and effective prosecution. FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass and Attorney General James Uthmeier don’t just take the protection of Florida’s children seriously, they lead by example.”
The investigation began on May 9th when FDLE agents received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Endangered Children (NCMEC) regarding a social media user sharing child sexual abuse material.
The investigation identified Watson as the account holder, revealing that he had received and shared two files depicting the sexual abuse of children. Agents further determined his employment as a music teacher at Oakstead Elementary School.
On May 12th, FDLE Tampa agents discreetly interviewed Watson at the school. During the interview, he reportedly admitted to receiving and sharing the child sex abuse files on his social media account.
Watson was subsequently arrested and faces two felony charges of possession of child sexual abuse material, two felony charges of electronic in-state transmission of obscene material, and two felony charges of unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
With assistance from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Watson was transported to the Pasco County Jail, where he was booked with a $120,000 bond. The Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will be prosecuting the case.
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