Investigation initiated by social media platform leads to a search warrant and the arrest of a 26-year-old resident
SPRING HILL, Fla. – A Spring Hill man is facing serious charges after an investigation into the possession of child sexual abuse material led to his arrest last week. The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office arrested Belgacem Khelifi, 26, on September 19 following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
The investigation began on July 10, 2025, when the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office received a referral from NCMEC. The information, originally submitted by a popular social media platform, flagged an account for the possession of child pornography.
Detectives quickly began gathering evidence to support both an arrest warrant for Khelifi and a search warrant for his home on Barclay Avenue. On September 19, detectives executed the search warrant at the residence. Upon contact, Khelifi reportedly admitted to owning the account in question and stated he was the only person with access to it.
Khelifi was taken into custody and transported to the Hernando County Detention Center. He has been charged with one count each of Possession of Child Pornography, Possession of AI-Generated Child Pornography, Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child with Intent to Promote, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device. His bond has been set at $155,000.
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