Freeport Man Charged With 50+ Felonies in Child Sexual Abuse Material Case
A 46-year-old Freeport man is facing more than 50 felony charges related to child sexual abuse material following a search warrant executed by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit on June 24.
Just before 7 a.m., deputies executed the warrant at a home off Shoreline Drive in Freeport. The investigation began in March after the Sheriff’s Office received multiple tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating an internet user was downloading child sexual abuse material, according to a WCSO press release.
Troy Lee, 46, was identified as the individual associated with the tips. When deputies arrived to execute the warrant, Lee was not at the residence. He was located later at his place of employment and taken into custody.
During the search of the home, investigators found multiple pairs of girls’ underwear in Lee’s possession. The Sheriff’s Office released this information to encourage anyone who may have information about possible related criminal behavior to come forward, noting that the agency cannot rule out the possibility that Lee may have had contact with minor children.
Lee is facing 29 counts of transmission of child sexual abuse material, 29 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, and six counts of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. He was transported to the Walton County Jail and was awaiting first appearance.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office credited Homeland Security and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their assistance in the investigation and execution of the search warrant, calling their partnership invaluable to investigating internet crimes against children.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit.
Originally reported by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and MyPanhandle (WMBB).
