For Immediate Release

March 17, 2026

SANFORD, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Blake Edward McKinniss, 37, of Sanford, on 53 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, 46 counts of possession of generated (AI) child pornography, and one count of possession of a childlike sex doll. The arrest is part of FDLE’s statewide initiative to locate and arrest criminals targeting children and sharing files depicting child sexual abuse.

FDLE’s investigation began on January 27, 2026, after agents received over 70 cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that an individual used the internet to upload, view and store images depicting the sexual abuse of children and generate and download AI images depicting the sexual abuse of children. The investigation identified McKinniss as the individual uploading and generating the images online.  

On March 9, FDLE Cybercrime Task Force agents and the FDLE Special Operations Team served a search warrant at McKinniss’ residence and seized multiple electronic devices. A preliminary forensic analysis identified multiple digital files containing child sexual abuse material. While conducting the search warrant, agents seized an anatomically correct, child-like sex doll and children’s underwear that were located at McKinniss’ residence at the time of the search warrant.

McKinniss was taken into custody and transported to the Seminole County Jail. The Sanford Police Department and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the search warrant and arrest. 

The Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is prosecuting the case.

The investigation remains active. Additional charges may be forthcoming pending further forensic analysis. 

For Further Information Contact:

FDLE Office of Public Information

Info@fdle.state.fl.us