OCALA, FL — A 21-year-old Marion County man already in custody on child sex crime charges now faces 81 additional felony counts after forensic investigators uncovered self-produced child sexual abuse material and explicit files depicting local minors on his mobile phone, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) announced.
Richard Kohn has been held without bond at the Marion County Jail since his initial arrest on May 28, 2026. MCSO Major Crimes Detective Michael Lowder filed the 81 new felony charges following a digital forensic examination of Kohn’s seized mobile device.
Initial Arrest and Interception Scheme
The investigation originated on May 28, 2026, when a School Resource Officer was alerted after a juvenile student disclosed engaging in sexual activity with Kohn.
Shortly after, the victim’s mother discovered explicit photos and videos sent by Kohn on her child’s Snapchat account. When Kohn attempted to arrange a physical meeting location to engage in sexual acts with the juvenile, MCSO detectives intervened, set up an interception, and arrested him at the designated spot.
At that time, Kohn was booked on eight felony counts, including Lewd and Lascivious Battery, Lewd and Lascivious Molestation, Traveling to Meet a Minor, and Interference with Child Custody.
Forensic Search Uncovers 81 Additional Felony Counts
Following Kohn’s arrest, Detective Lowder obtained and executed a court-authorized search warrant on Kohn’s mobile phone.
A forensic review of the device’s contents revealed extensive child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including images and videos depicting prepubescent children, sexually explicit material involving animals, and files depicting identifiable local juveniles from Marion and surrounding counties, as well as the primary victim.
Detectives also uncovered digital evidence that Kohn recorded self-produced sexual abuse material with a juvenile and transmitted those files to other individuals online, resulting in the 81 new felony charges:
- 20 counts of Possession of Child Sexual Material (CSAM)
- 20 counts of Possession of CSAM with Intent to Promote
- 20 counts of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child
- 12 counts of Transmission of CSAM
- 9 counts of Possession of Pornographic Images of Sexual Activities Involving Animals
Investigative Tip Request: Due to the nature of the offenses and evidence of self-produced abuse material, detectives believe there may be additional unidentified victims in the region.
Anyone with information regarding additional crimes involving Richard Kohn is urged to contact Detective Michael Lowder with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division at (352) 351-6408.