Police in Palm Beach County arrested a 41-year-old man last week after they allegedly found multiple child pornography files on his computer.
Anthony Ray Robbins of West Palm Beach was charged with possession of sexual performance of a child and promoting sexual performance of a child. He is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail on $40,000 bail. Attorney information wasn’t available.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy assigned to the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began the investigation after finding multiple suspicious files linked to an internet address that was traced to Robbins.
Police executed a search warrant at Robbins’ home and found a computer containing a file-sharing program and 20 files of child pornography, some of prepubescent age, the arrest report said.
When questioned about the files, Robbins allegedly told police that he searched for videos because he was “curious,” according to the arrest report.
Another case of suspected possession of child pornography was reported in Palm Beach County this week. A Supervisor of Elections employee was arrested on November 13 for allegedly “pushing” two police officers during a child pornography investigation.
Jeffrey Darter, 61, was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, and was booked into Palm Beach County Jail. He isn’t facing any child porn-related charges at this point. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.
According to Palm Beach County police, the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children task force launched an investigation on June 11 after a user called “hardrivefl” uploaded an image depicting the sexual abuse of female child on the mobile messaging app, Kik.
The name listed on Kik account was “Jeff Darter,” and the user’s internet address led them to Darter, the arrest report said.
Darter was contacted by authorities on November 13 at the Supervisor of Elections office in West Palm Beach. He allegedly admitted to having a Kik account but told investigators he doesn’t use it.
“[Darter] stated he could have uploaded the child pornography image by accident but he doesn’t know,” the report stated. “Darter indicated he has seen child pornography before and that he has friends who [are] interested in it, one of them even started a website to show child pornography.”
Darter purportedly refused to let the officers look at his smartphone. The officers report that he became nervous and started to use the device. They believe he may have been attempting to delete evidence from his phone, the arrest report indicates.
One of the investigators was able to take the phone from Darter’s hand and Darter allegedly pushed the investigator and tried to take the phone back, according to the arrest report. The phone was turned over to the police department and will be searched.
Records show Darter worked as the information technology manager at the Supervisor of Elections office. He was reportedly fired after his arrest.
Palm Beach County Child Pornography Attorney
If you are involved in a child pornography case, then you should hire an attorney. Contact us to set up a free initial consultation and work with one of Palm Beach County’s most experienced child pornography attorneys.
Sources: 11.13.19 West palm area man arrested on child pornography charges.pdf & 11.18.19 Supervisor of elections employee “pushed” police during child porn investigation.pdf