Crime & Public Safety
Man arrested at Fort Lauderdale airport after customs find chld s3xual abuse material on phone
Broward County, Florida — Fort Lauderdale — A 39-year-old man was arrested at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after U.S. Customs officers said they found chld s3xual abuse material on his cellphone following a flight from Punta Cana, according to a federal complaint and law enforcement booking records.
Authorities said customs officers pulled the man aside for a border search of his belongings and devices after he arrived on a JetBlue flight. The federal criminal complaint states a search of his Samsung Galaxy cellphone revealed numerous files and Telegram chats containing images and videos depicting babies and toddlers, a GIF of chld s3xual abuse material, screenshots of advertisements offering illicit material for purchase, and records of payments.
The complaint says the man admitted to receiving and purchasing files and told agents he had done so “numerous times.” The U.S. Marshals Service is handling custody logistics, and as of Thursday morning the man was being held in the Broward Sheriff’s Office Main Jail facility on federal authority.
He has been charged in federal court with two offenses related to possession and transportation of chld s3xual abuse material, according to the complaint. The details recounted here are drawn from the federal criminal complaint and statements by customs and local detention officials and reflect alleged conduct; court proceedings will determine criminal liability.
All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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All individuals mentioned in criminal allegations are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.