FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Flagler County deputies arrested a 15-year-old boy in January after investigators said he was manufacturing child pornography.
On Jan. 23, deputies served a search warrant on a home in Daytona North that officials say was “actively engaging in the manufacturing and distribution of child pornography.”
The 15-year-old is charged with five counts of possession of child pornography and one count of manufacturing child pornography.
Deputies searched the teen’s phone and found pictures and videos, some depicting adults having sexual intercourse with children under 10-years-old.
“Sex offenders and deviants in this area who think they’re going to operate with impunity have got another thing coming,” Sheriff Rick Staly said.
The arrest comes after the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office began participating with the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The task force consists of state and local authorities who are dedicated to responding to the online enticement of children by sexual predators, child exploitation, child obscenity and pornography cases.
“We’re going to go after these offenders no matter what age they are," Staly said. "We’re not going to let our children be violated in this county.”
After undergoing a detention risk assessment the teen was released on home detention, according to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
“This assessment and score determines the most appropriate placement for a youth upon arrest and prior to their detention hearing before the courts,” Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Communications Director Amanda Slama said. “A youth either reaches a “score” for secure detention or does not “score” high enough for secure detention and can be released on home detention.”
The teen’s release back to his home did not sit well with the sheriff.
“They refused to accept him and then sent him home to the same environment that allowed him to produce this," Staly said.