The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has announced the arrest of Elmer Sanchez Bautista, 22, of Leesburg, on five counts of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This arrest is part of FDLE’s statewide initiative to identify and apprehend individuals involved in targeting children and sharing CSAM files.
The FDLE’s investigation commenced in November 2024, following a cybertip received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The tip indicated that an individual was uploading digital files depicting the sexual abuse of children to a Snapchat account.
The investigation successfully identified Bautista as the owner of the email address linked to the account and the account holder. FDLE agents subsequently executed a search warrant at Bautista’s residence, seizing multiple electronic devices. A forensic analysis of these devices revealed numerous files depicting the sexual abuse of children.
FDLE obtained an arrest warrant, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrested Bautista on May 21. He was transported to the Lake County Jail and is currently being held without bond pending his first appearance. The case is being prosecuted by Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
The FDLE’s investigation into this matter remains active.
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