ST. CLOUD, Fla. – St. Cloud police arrested a local man on Friday, October 31st, following an investigation that began with an online tip and uncovered a disturbing pattern of animal abuse.
Frank Louis Mitchell, 41, of St. Cloud, was taken into custody without incident at his Jersey Ave. home by detectives from the St. Cloud Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, working with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
The investigation began on September 12 after police received a CyberTip regarding the upload of illegal material on a social media platform. Detectives executed multiple search warrants and discovered numerous videos and images depicting sexual acts with animals, including Mitchell’s own dogs, along with evidence of unlawful online communication and possession of obscene content.
Mitchell faces the following charges:
- One count of Animal Cruelty/Sexual Contact with an Animal
- Nine counts of Animal Cruelty/Possession of Images/Videos Depicting Sexual Acts with an Animal
- One count of Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device
Mitchell was booked into the Osceola County Jail and held on a $\$17,000$ bond. The two dogs were removed from the home and are now in the care of Osceola County Animal Services.
“These charges are truly disturbing,” said St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke. “Our department is committed to protecting all members of our community, including vulnerable populations and animals, and holding offenders accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
This is an active investigation, with additional charges pending. Anyone with information is urged to contact the St. Cloud Police Department at (407) 891-6700, referencing Report #25-003809.
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