POLK COUNTY, FL. – Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Computer Crimes Unit (CCU) arrested two suspects for possession of child pornography after receiving tips from the National Center for Missing and Endangered Children (NCMEC) that the suspects were possibly transmitting or downloading the harmful images and videos.
Detectives served search warrants at the suspects’ houses and seized all of their digital devices for further analysis. The images did not appear to depict local Polk County children, but the investigation is ongoing to identify them.
During the more extensive forensic analysis of their devices, it’s possible the suspects will be additionally charged if more images and/or videos are found.
“We partner with NCMEC to keep children safe, but it’s those who are online, who see something and say something, who are the real front line of defense. We rely on you to send tips to law enforcement and NCMEC so that we can follow up and conduct an investigation. Please, if you see something while you are online or on mobile apps, say something. Contact your local law enforcement agency or go to NCMEC’s CyberTipline at https://report.cybertip.org/ to report suspicious online activity” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
60-year-old Kenneth Lester Kaufman of Lake Wales was arrested and charged with two counts possession of child pornography (F3) after detectives served a search warrant at his home following up on a NCMEC tip.
During a preview of his electronic devices, detectives found two images depicting child pornography of females between the ages of 9 and 12 years old. He told detectives he is an IT manager for Auvidatel, Inc. in Winter Haven.
He was booked into the Polk County Jail on April 18, 2022, and is being held in lieu of $30,000 bond ($15,000 per charge). His criminal history includes previous arrests for burglary with assault, and non-payment of child support.
18-year-old Calvert Green of Mulberry was arrested and charged with one count possession of child pornography (F3) after detectives served a search warrant at his home following up on a NCMEC tip.
During a preview of his electronic devices, detectives found a video depicting a child between the ages of 10 and 12 years old being sexually battered by an adult. He was booked into the Polk County Jail on April 20, 2022, and is awaiting a first appearance hearing.
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