News


FDLE arrests Wakulla County man for possession and transmission of child pornography

 
For Immediate Release
July 27, 2018
 
CRAWFORDVILLE, Fla - FDLE agents arrested Merrick Smith, 24, of 107 Blackfoot Road, Crawfordville for nine counts of possession and one count of transmission of child pornography.
 
In April 2018, FDLE agents received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and identified the suspect in Wakulla County. Agents obtained a warrant and seized Smith’s mobile phone which contained multiple child pornography videos featuring children under the age of 10.
 
Smith was booked into the Wakulla County Jail.  Additional charges are dependent upon completion of forensic exams. The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, Second Judicial Circuit.
 
For tips on keeping your children safe online, visit the Secure Florida website at: http://secureflorida.org/staying_safe/best_practices_for_parents/
 
 
For Further Information Contact:
Gretl Plessinger, Jessica Cary or Jeremy Burns
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001

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FDLE is composed of five areas: Executive Direction and Business Support, Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science, Criminal Justice Information, Criminal Justice Professionalism and Florida Capitol Police. FDLE’s duties, responsibilities and procedures are mandated through Chapter 943, FS, and Chapter 11, FAC. To learn more about these areas, read our Statement of Agency Organization and Operation or visit our Open Government page.