America’s biggest child porn stash exposed: A 23-year-old Florida man is arrested and faces a whopping 1,182 charges after cops allegedly found 15 devices containing images of minors
- Johnathan Jhovanni Hernandez, 23, of Avon Park, Fla., is facing 1,182 child pornography charges after police searched just one of his 15 devices
- Investigators began investigating Hernandez in August, with a search of his Discord account leading to his first arrest on December 29
- He only faced four charges and was out on bail, but a search of equipment confiscated from him caused the charges to skyrocket
- Detectives said it was the biggest treasure trove of child porn they had ever seen
A Florida man has been arrested and charged with 1,182 child pornography charges after police searched just one of 15 devices confiscated from him.
Johnathan Jhovanni Hernandez, 23, of Avon Park, was first arrested on December 29 on four child pornography charges after a months-long investigation following leads from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office said, “At this time … the investigation was just beginning and more charges would likely be filed.” What we should have said, there would probably be LOTS more indictments – like more than any other in our county…ever.”
“There’s no telling how many charges he’d face if detectives went through all the equipment. Detectives say Hernandez’s collection of child porn is the largest they have ever seen.”
Johnathan Jhovanni Hernandez, 23, of Avon Park, Fla., was arrested Jan. 10 and faces 1,182 child pornography charges
Hernandez was originally arrested on December 29 and faced only four counts and was released on bail. A comb through just one of his 15 devices sent charges skyrocketing
The investigation into Hernandez began in August when leads led investigators to obtain search warrants for the man’s Discord account, which contained child pornography.
Hernanez was originally charged with two counts of possessing child pornography, two counts of transmitting child pornography, and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a crime.
While he was initially released on bail, police conducted a search of Hernandez’s home and confiscated 15 electronic devices.
Just one of those devices brought the charge to nearly 1,200, and police arrested Hernandez again Tuesday.
In addition to the child porn charges, Hernandez has been charged with four counts of possession of animal images under a new law that went into effect last October.
Hernandez is being held on $2.4 million bail and faces life in prison if convicted on all charges.
The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation was still ongoing while detectives searched the other 14 devices taken from Hernandez’s home.