Sexual Predator Arrested
Christopher Thornton
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department in conjunction with the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force executed a search warrant on Friday, April 9th, 2010. Members of the Task Force include the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Broward Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Attorney General’s Office, and the United States Secret Service.
Detectives from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department developed an IP address during an undercover internet investigation that had downloaded over 80 files depicting child pornography. The investigation revealed an address in Lauderhill and a suspect. The suspect was identified as Christopher Thornton, B/M, 04/17/1982.
Fort Lauderdale Detectives and members of ICAC Task Force executed the search warrant at Thornton’s residence. The warrant yielded one computer with over 80 movies and images depicting children between the ages of 4 and 12 engaged in sexual activity. Additionally, obscene images of two unreported child victims were located upon the computer.
Thornton was arrested and charged with twenty five (25) counts of Possession of Child Pornography and 1 count Production of Child Pornography. Post Miranda, Thornton advised investigators that he was a tutor and a football coach and that he utilized his positions to access children and that he molested two children for nearly 3 years. Thornton also produced child pornography by photographing the genitals of these children and made it available for distribution on the internet.
2 child victims have been identified in Delray Beach, Florida and New York. Authorities are currently working on interviewing these victims and additional charges are pending.
Investigators and members of the ICAC Task Force fear that there may be additional victims. If anyone recognizes Thornton, and may have been victimized by him, they are encouraged to contact Detective Rob Mauro at or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
Related posts:
- Hollywood man arrested on child porn charges
- Lauderdale man arrested for child porn; victims 3 months old
- Fort Lauderdale man charged with 100 counts of child porn
- Miramar resident, middle school teacher arrested for child porn
- Davie Boy Scout volunteer arrested for child porn
Short URL: https://browardnetonline.com/?p=7542
Posted by Andrea Freygang on Apr 12 2010. Filed under Broward County, Crime, Fort Lauderdale, Local news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
People should be aware that there is a new sex offender in the 33306 zip. He is residing at the Budget Inn @2731 N Federal Highway, near 26th street. Budget Inn is not one of Ft. Lauderdale’s premier hotels but for unsuspecting tourist who expect a certain amount of safety and security this is just wrong. I am sure many people would be surprised at the amount of offenders who are in residence at the various hotels in this state, with YOU the taxpayer picking up the tab.
Its time to put a moritorium on offenders moving into Florida from other states, its time to send those convicted in other states back when the become homeless and or transient. Its time to end gain-time and or early release for offenders..we are drowning in them..