Courtesy photo / NSBPD
Kenneth W. Crist, 23, of 605 Goodwin Ave., New Smyrna Beach, was arrested Friday on charges of possessing photos of child pornography. According to New Smyrna Beach police, the sexually explicit photos possessed by Crist included that of a child no older than 3.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Police uncovered a dirty little secret behind the doors of 605 Goodwin Ave. when they arrived with a search warrant Friday morning. The occupant of the residence, 23-year-old Kenneth W. Crist soon found himself behind bars, charged with possessing pornographic photos of children, New Smyrna Beach police said.
Here is a synopsis of what hapened 8 a.m. Friday, according to a report filed by New Smyrna Beach police Sgt. Eugene Griffith: A Search Warrant was executed at 605 Goodwin Ave. by the agents of the Attorney General’s Child Predator CyberCrime Unit, which includes investigators from the New Smyrna Beach Police Department and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Kenneth Crist was taken into custody during the search warrant after numerous images of child pornography were discovered within the residence.
"One of the images reviewed was that of a child appearing to be no older than three years of age," New Smyrna Beach police Sgt. Eugene Griffith said.
The search warrant was issued after a month-long investigation conducted by the Child Predator CyberCrime Unit. Computer equipment was seized, including numerous CDs and DVDs, which will undergo additional forensic analysis to identify any additional images of child pornography.
Crist was arrested on two felony counts of promoting sexual performance by a child and six felony counts of possession of sexual performance of a child, which are enhanced under the Cyber Crimes Against Children Act. He was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail where he was being held on an $11,000 bond.
The agencies involved in the investigation and arrest are all members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
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Deborah Denys, candidate for the district 3 County Council, a strong advocate of children and families, is tough on crime.