When Florida legislators arrested Jonathan Hernandez on suspicion of child pornography possession, they expected to find more.
The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook, “At the time, the investigation was just beginning and more charges could be forthcoming.” It means that more claims are likely to be made.”
Hernandez is currently facing over 1,180 child pornography and 4 bestiality images. The 23-year-old is bound by his $2.4 million bond. His attorney points out that he has enough charges that he could be sentenced to life in prison.
The Sheriff’s Office first launched an investigation into Hernandez in August, when a cyber tip about Internet crimes against children arrived from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Through a search warrant, detectives discovered child pornography on his Discord account, an instant messaging application.
He was arrested over these findings on December 29, when agents searched his Avon Park home and found 15 electronic devices.
At the time, he was charged with only two counts of possessing child pornography, two counts of transmitting child pornography, and one count of using a two-way communication device to further a felony.
While out on bail, detectives gathered enough evidence on just one of the 15 devices and charged Hernandez with 1,182 counts of child pornography possession.
“If a detective goes through all the equipment, we don’t know how many charges he could face,” the sheriff’s office said. I’d say it’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen.”
He was arrested again on Wednesday in connection with the latest charges.As other devices are searched, Hernandez’s case could become one of the largest child pornography possessions in state history. I have.