WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday the arrests of 12 people suspected of possession, promotion and distribution of child pornography.
Operations Guardians of Innocence III resulted in 640 felonies filed against the suspects with more charges pending, according to the sheriff’s office.
"Four of the 12 suspects we arrested have criminal histories involving sex crimes against children -- further demonstrating there is a correlation between those who view child pornography and those who sexually abuse children," Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news release.
The sheriff's office ran the operations from February to April 2019.
Here is a look at the suspects arrested and the charges they face:
- Richard Parr, 49, is charged with 22 counts of possession of child pornography.
- Wade Menard, 36, is charged with 33 counts of possession of child pornography, one count of promotion of child pornography, one count of violation of probation lewd conduct and one count of violation of probation failure to register.
- Timothy Cottenham II, 32, is charged with 100 counts of possession of child pornography.
- Owen “David” Yates, 42, is charged with four counts of possession of child pornography and count of promotion of child pornography.
- Johnny Emmons Jr., 27, is charged with 41 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of violation of probation.
- Jerome Lingenfelter, 54, is charged with five counts of possession of child pornography.
- Marc Aaron Burzynski, 34, is charged with one count of possession of child pornography and one count of promotion of child pornography.
- Jesse Whitehead, 44, is charged with 76 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of promotion of child pornography.
- Brooklyn Childs, 18, is charged with three counts of possession of child pornography and one count of promotion of child pornography.
- Jessie Butler, 29, is charged with possession of child pornography, transmission of child pornography, possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia. He remains in jail on $20,000 bond.
- His wife Katie Butler, 30, is charged with 40 counts of possession of child pornography, possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia. She remains in jail on $200,000 bond.
Judd asked the public to come forward with tips if they suspect anyone they know is involved with child pornography.
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