WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. – Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested John Blake Hawthorne, 48, of Weeki Wachee on 25 counts of transmission of child pornography and 25 counts of possession of child pornography.
The investigation began in June after an undercover investigator identified hundreds of child pornography images and videos being downloaded and shared from a residential computer on Melanie Avenue. The images depicted children between the ages of six and 12 years old engaged in sexual conduct.
Following a search warrant, FDLE agents arrested Hawthorne yesterday at his home. He was booked into the Hernando County Jail. The Office of the State Attorney, 5th Judicial Circuit will prosecute this case.
For tips on keeping your children safe online, visit the Secure Florida website at: http://secureflorida.org/staying_safe/best_practices_for_parents/.
For Further Information Contact:
Gretl Plessinger, Jessica Cary or Jeremy Burns
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001
