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Sheriff Calls Child Pornography Crimes "Horrendous, Graphic"

Polk County deputies arrested 19 men in what the sheriff is calling one of the most disturbing child pornography cases Central Florida has ever seen. The suspects are accused of having more than 100,000 pornographic pictures of children on their computers, including images of babies.


MUG SHOTS: 21 Men Facing Child Pornography Charges

"There are individuals just like these in every other county in the state," said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

It is the largest undercover operation of its kind in the history of the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Deputies arrested 19 men accused of possessing and or distributing more than 100,000 pictures and more than 500 videos of child pornography.

"We have images of children from birth to eight years old being sexually battered," Judd said.

Judd said the Internet investigation, dubbed "Operation Defender" began last October. In addition to the graphic images, detectives confiscated a tutorial video some of the suspects downloaded from the Internet. The PowerPoint demonstration teaches people how to sexually abuse a child without getting caught.

"Certainly, in my 35 years of law enforcement, I've never seen anything more shocking," Judd said.

The special investigations unit executed search warrants at each of the suspects' homes. Deputies said 32-year-old Joseph Allen had more than 80,000 photos. Meanwhile, two of the 21 suspects are still on the run.

"It doesn't get any more graphic, it doesn't get anymore horrendous, it doesn't get anymore vile than what these 21 people were engaged in," Judd said.

Deputies are still looking for two suspects, Darryl Dixon and William Perren II.
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