RIVERVIEW, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has announced the arrest of 29-year-old Sunghyun Kim of Riverview, facing a litany of charges related to the sexual exploitation and extortion of juvenile victims over the internet.
The arrest follows a three-month-long investigation initiated by a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
The investigation began on February 5, 2025, when detectives received an anonymous tip from a victim who reported being sexually exploited and blackmailed by an individual online.
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Through extensive detective work, authorities uncovered a pattern of behavior where Kim allegedly engaged with multiple juveniles via social media platforms, obtained sexual content from them, and then used that content for blackmail.
On May 20, 2025, the HCSO Internet Predator Unit executed a residential search warrant at Kim’s Riverview residence. During the search, detectives seized numerous electronic devices.
A forensic examination of these devices revealed a disturbing collection of over a thousand files containing child sexual abuse material, including computer-generated content. Furthermore, detectives discovered 45 files depicting sexual activity with an animal.
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Sunghyun Kim is currently facing the following charges:
- Possession of Child Pornography (10 or More Images and Content of Images) (x100)
- Possession of Generated Child Pornography (x100)
- Film, Distribute, or Possess Videos or Images Depicting Sexual Activity with an Animal (x45)
- Promotion of Sexual Performance by a Child (x14)
- Transmission of Harmful Material to a Minor (x9)
- Use of computer service for lewd or lascivious exhibition (x6)
“To manipulate and extort underage victims for his sick gratification is beyond disgusting, it’s evil. Let me be clear: anyone who preys on children will face the full force of the law,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We will not tolerate this in our community.”
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone who believes Sunghyun Kim may have victimized them to contact them immediately at 813-247-8200.
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