Church minister Charles Andrews of Englewood, Florida was arrested this week after authorities discovered that he downloaded child pornography on his home computer.
Andrews, 66, was charged with 500 felony counts of child pornography and three counts of failing to meet sex offender requirements. He was ordered held on more than $5 million bond. The press did not name an attorney for him.
According to the sheriff’s office, investigators received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about two email accounts that were used to download 70 images of child porn. The IP address used by the email accounts were traced to Andrews’ home.
Investigators executed a search warrant at Andrews’ home this week and found a computer with hundreds of images of child pornography, including dozens that depicted the sexual battery of children.
Andrews is a minister at Osprey Church of Christ. Records show that he is a registered sex offender who was convicted of sexual abuse in Alabama. Andrews didn’t meet sex offender requirements by neglecting to report his two email addresses and his social media account to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Cases involving possession of child pornography aren’t uncommon in South Florida. Just last week, Thomas Dowling of Palm Beach Gardens was arrested after authorities reportedly found child porn on his computer.
Dowling, 52, was charged with three counts of possession of child pornography. His bond was set at $9,000. Attorney information wasn’t available.
According to West Palm Beach police, detectives received a tip in June from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force about someone in the area who was distributing child pornography. Investigators tracked the IP address to a home in the 300 block of Camellia Street that is listed as Dowling’s address.
Police executed a search warrant on July 18 and found a password-protected computer that belongs to Dowling and contains several files of child pornography. Investigators questioned Dowling about the files and he reportedly told them that the explicit content could have appeared on his computer when he “wasn’t paying attention.”
Possession of child pornography is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison for each count. In addition to a severe prison sentence as well as fines, a conviction requires registration in the national sex offender registry for life.
Because of the life-changing consequences of a conviction, it is recommended that anyone charged with possession of child pornography should hire an experienced attorney to help them navigate the justice system and secure the best possible outcome.
South Florida 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 Florida’s most experienced child pornography attorneys.
Source: 7.25.19 Florida church minister facing 500 counts of possession of child pornography.pdf