Cyber Safety
Learn about the risks of and tactics used by online predators as well as what constitutes a cyber crime and how to report it
Learn how to identify potential threats that could endanger your child as well as important tips and safety measures
Information about protecting yourself while surfing the internet, safeguarding personal information and avoiding potentially dangerous situations
Learn how to protect yourself online while playing games, surfing the internet and having fun
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| address: |
Attorney General of Florida The Capitol, PL-01 Tallahassee, FL 32399 |
| phone: | (850) 414-3300 |
| website: | www.myfloridalegal.com |
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Press Releases
Attorney General Charlie Crist Press Release
Printer FriendlyCrist: Second Child Porn Arrest in Escambia County
TALLAHASSEE - Attorney General Charlie Crist today announced the arrest of the second Escambia County man this week on multiple charges of possession of child pornography and promoting the sexual performance of a child. Investigators discovered John Richard Mason’s distribution and promotion of pornographic videos of children during an undercover online investigation.
Mason, 59, placed pornographic videos on the internet that were discovered by a CyberCrime investigator, who was able to trace them back to Mason. A search warrant was then executed at Mason’s residence and three computers, along with more than 100 compact discs of child pornography, were seized. Mason was arrested by officers with Crist’s CyberCrime Unit, the Escambia County Sheriff's Office and the Pensacola Police Department.
"While it is shocking how easily children can be victimized by predators over the internet, our continued fight against these crimes is making a difference," said Crist. "It is gratifying to know that the work of the CyberCrime Unit is protecting countless children across our state."
Law enforcement officers executing the search warrant verified that Mason’s computers contained the movies found online by the undercover investigator. Mason admitted that he knowingly possessed the pornography found on his computers and the discs. The computers and other equipment removed from the residence will undergo further forensic analysis to locate possible additional pornographic images or movies of children.
Mason is currently being held at the Escambia County Jail. He is charged with one count of promoting the sexual performance of a child, a second-degree felony, and 10 counts of possession of child pornography, a third-degree felony. If convicted on all charges, he faces up to 65 years in prison.
The CyberCrime Unit's mission is to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The unit does this by working cooperatively on a statewide basis with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide resources and expertise, while preventing the spread of these crimes through education and community awareness. Mason’s arrest is the fifth made by officers with the unit since its inception in October 2005.