BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — A Brooksville man previously released on bond for child sexual abuse material charges is back in custody after state agents say he attempted to steal a disabled elderly man’s identity to escape prosecution and leave the country.
Paul Wolaver, 62, was re-arrested by Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) agents and charged with one count of solicitation to commit exploitation of the elderly, a third-degree felony. He is currently held without bond at the Hernando County Jail.
According to FDLE officials, investigators received reports on July 18 indicating that Wolaver was making plans to flee the United States. To carry out the plan, agents said he attempted to assume the identity of a disabled elderly victim.
Agents executed a search warrant at Wolaver’s residence on July 22. During the search, investigators gathered documents and electronic communications that corroborated witness statements regarding his intent to flee using the victim’s identity.
Wolaver was originally taken into custody on June 10 following an undercover FDLE operation launched in March 2026. Agents traced an IP address actively sharing child sexual abuse materials to Wolaver’s home address. A search of his property resulted in the seizure of multiple electronic storage devices and external hard drives containing thousands of illegal files.
His initial arrest included 14 counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials and one count of promotion of a sexual performance by a child, all classified as second-degree felonies. Wolaver subsequently posted bond and was released from the Hernando County Jail prior to the new allegations.
The case remains under active investigation and is being prosecuted by Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
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