MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A 17-year-old has been charged as an adult with producing and possessing child sexual abuse material, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Angel Castro was booked into the Marion County Jail Tuesday on nine counts of producing child pornography and five counts of possession of child pornography, the sheriff’s office said. He is being held without bond.
Investigation began with Snapchat report
Ocala police received information Aug. 14 that Castro had uploaded child sexual abuse material to Snapchat, according to investigators.
Detectives determined the upload originated from a home outside the city’s jurisdiction and referred the investigation to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
A detective with the Internet Crimes Against Children unit obtained a search warrant for Castro’s Snapchat records. Investigators said they found hundreds of videos Castro had produced, including recordings containing statements about sexually abusing children.
The sheriff’s office said a Homeland Security special agent also located videos Castro allegedly produced on the messaging application Signal.
Investigators seek information about possible victims
Castro was initially arrested Oct. 9 and taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice before being charged as an adult, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators believe there may be children who were directly victimized and are seeking additional information. The announcement did not identify any confirmed victims.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-351-4710.
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