Deputies: New Smyrna Beach city worker charged with molestation, child porn

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A 56-year-old man employed by the city of New Smyrna Beach was arrested early Saturday on molestation and child pornography charges, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said.

Fred Harvey was arrested after his home was searched late Friday by Volusia County deputies and agents with the Department of Homeland Security and the state's Department of Children and Families, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Gary Davidson said.

After receiving a tip Sept. 29 that Harvey had been downloading child pornography, investigators confirmed that the images were being saved on a computer with an Internet provider account registered in his name, Davidson said.

“An exhaustive search of Harvey's computer and social media activity turned up multiple images of child pornography, some involving victims believed to be as young as 1 or 2 years old,” Davidson said. “But it also turned up something else -- emails containing pictures of Harvey molesting a 14-year-old girl.”

Investigators fear that Harvey might have victimized more children because he works for the Parks Division of New Smyrna Beach’s Maintenance Operations Department and leads a Boy Scout troop, Davidson said. But he added that Harvey didn’t encounter the girl through his job or extracurricular activities.

New Smyrna Beach police Lt. Shane Riggle said that Harvey, who has worked for the city for 16 years, was suspended without pay while an internal investigation is conducted.

“The city of New Smyrna Beach is very concerned with the arrest of Fred Harvey,” Riggle said. “Our sympathy goes out to the community and with the victims in this case.”

Riggle said that Harvey’s duties included cleaning city buildings and setting up and breaking down equipment for special events, but he said that Harvey didn't have direct contact with children.

Eric Magendantz, a local spokesman for Boy Scouts of America, said that though the accusations were unrelated to the organization’s activities, it has cut ties with Harvey.

“The behavior included in these allegations is completely unacceptable and runs counter to everything for which the Boy Scouts of America stands,” Magendantz said. “Upon learning of these reports, we took immediate action to revoke this individual’s registration and preclude him from any further participation in our programs.”

Harvey was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on the following charges: lewd or lascivious molestation, possession of sexual performance by a child and promoting the sexual performance of a child. He was jailed without bail.

The incident continues to be investigated, and deputies said additional charges were expected.

Anyone who has information about the incident or who had contact with Harvey is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 386-323-3574 or Crime Stoppers at 888-277-8477.

Cox Media Group