Jonathan Hernandez: Florida man, 23, faces 1,180 charges for 'largest ever' child porn stash found by police
HIGHLANDS COUNTY, FLORIDA: Law enforcement officers have arrested Jonathan Hernandez on charges of having an extensive child porn collection and are expecting to find even more incriminating evidence in the devices seized from him. But what law enforcement officers have already found is shocking even to them.
“We told you the investigation was just getting started and there would likely be more charges,” the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office posted via Facebook. “What we should have said was there would likely be A LOT more charges — like more than anyone in our county ... ever.” There are now over 1,180 counts of child pornography and 4 counts of bestiality photos against Hernandez. Deputies say the 23-year-old has enough criminal charges against him to face a life sentence. He is therefore being held on a $2.4 million bond.
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Who is Jonathan Hernandez?
In August, after receiving a cybertip about computer crimes against children from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the sheriff's office opened an investigation into Hernandez. Police obtained access to his Discord (an instant messaging service) account via a search warrant and discovered child pornographic content there. In a search of his Avon Park house on December 29th, deputies found 15 electronic devices, as reported by Miami Herald.
Highland County deputies have called Jonathan Hernandez's collection of child porn the biggest one they've ever encountered. Earlier, he was only facing charges of possessing child pornography, conveying child pornography, and using a two-way communication device to accomplish a felony. But when Hernandez was out on bond, investigators found enough evidence on a single one of the 15 devices owned by him to charge him with an additional 1,182 counts of child porn possession. If detectives comb through all the devices, the sheriff's office claims, "there is no telling how many charges he could face." On Wednesday, January 11, he was taken into custody once more on these new charges.
Florida's laws regarding the ownership and distribution of child porn
Any conviction for child pornography in the state of Florida can have far-reaching consequences with severe penalties for being found guilty. For purposes of Florida law, any visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexual conduct is considered child pornography. Florida Statute 827.071(5)(a) uses this definition to establish that it is prohibited to intentionally acquire, control, or watch any type of child pornography. This is a felony of the third degree. If convicted, the defendant could face up to 5 years imprisonment and a maximum $5,000 fine for each illegal material or minor that is depicted in the image, video, or data.
Sharing child pornography with another person increases the severity of the charges to a second degree felony and the likelihood of federal charges being brought upon the defendant. A second degree felony is punishable by up to 15 years in Florida State Prison. Promoting or producing child pornography carries the most severe penalties. This can be charged as a first degree felony, punishable up to 30 years in Florida State Prison for each charge. In Florida, this crime can carries a minimum prison sentence of 5-13 years.