News


FDLE arrests Tavernier man for possession of child sexual abuse material

Side photograph of Miami Regional Operations Center.

For Immediate Release 

Jan. 22, 2026

TAVERNIER, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has arrested Mark Christopher Harris, 63, of Tavernier, on 12 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), six counts of possession of computer‑generated CSAM, and two counts of possession of material depicting the sexual abuse of animals. The arrest is part of FDLE’s statewide initiative to identify and apprehend offenders who target children and share files depicting child sexual abuse.

In June 2025, agents received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), submitted by Microsoft, reporting that an unknown user conducted a reverse image search that returned images depicting the sexual abuse of children. Agents traced the associated IP address to Harris.

In August 2025, agents received a second NCMEC cybertip from Google regarding an account containing images of unclothed children. Further investigation determined the account also belonged to Harris.

On Dec. 2, 2025, agents conducted a residential search warrant at Harris’ home and seized multiple electronic devices for forensic review. One device contained a large quantity of CSAM, including computer‑generated images and images depicting bestiality.

FDLE’s Special Operations Team, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the search warrant.

On Jan. 15, 2026, Harris turned himself in to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and was booked into the Monroe County Jail.

The Office of the State Attorney, 16th Judicial Circuit, is prosecuting the case.

The investigation remains active.

For Further Information Contact

FDLE Office of Public Information

Info@fdle.state.fl.us 

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Priorities

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.