HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. – A recent sentencing has concluded a disturbing case involving Michael Ray Groves, 58, who pleaded guilty to numerous charges, including possession of child pornography and sexual abuse of minors.
Groves was sentenced on May 20, 2025, to a 25-year term with the Florida Department of Corrections. This will be followed by lifetime probation and a designation as a sexual predator.
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The legal proceedings against Groves unfolded over several months, beginning with an investigation into the possession of child pornography.
The initial investigation commenced on November 18, 2023, when Hernando County Sheriff’s detectives received a tip regarding child pornography.
This led to Michael Ray Groves being identified as a potential suspect. Judge B. Bell authorized a search warrant for Groves’ online accounts and subsequently served it to his social media provider. The search yielded 73 files of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from Groves’ account.
On January 24, 2024, detectives interviewed Groves at his residence at 6979 Corliss Road in Brooksville.
During the interview, Groves reportedly admitted to owning the social media account and to viewing and possessing the CSAM files. He was arrested and initially charged with 73 counts of Possession of Child Pornography and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device, held without bond.
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As the investigation progressed, further allegations of sexual abuse surfaced. On May 1, 2024, Groves was arrested and charged with one count of Sexual Battery by Custodian and one count of Showing Obscene Material to a Minor.
The State Attorney’s Office later direct-filed an additional count of sexual battery by custodian and one count of attempted sexual battery by custodian. A grand jury hearing on May 2, 2024, resulted in Groves’ indictment on all four of these new charges.
Ultimately, Michael Groves pleaded guilty to a total of 15 counts of Possession of Child Pornography, two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation, and one count of Showing Obscene Material to a Minor, leading to the severe sentence handed down this week.
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