A McDavid man was arrested Monday on multiple felony charges related to child sexual exploitation following an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
Multiple Felony Charges Filed
James Thomas McDuffie, 49, was booked into the Escambia County Jail at noon Monday on a series of FDLE charges. According to jail records, McDuffie faces two counts of creating, producing, or possessing computer-generated or altered child sexual abuse material, 20 counts of possessing, promoting, or distributing child sexual abuse material or child pornography, and one count of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
McDuffie remained in the Escambia County Jail following his arrest, with bond set at $301,000.
Investigation Ongoing
Complete details on the specific charges and the allegations against McDuffie were not immediately available as of Monday. FDLE has not released additional information about how the investigation was initiated or what led authorities to McDuffie.
Arrests on child sexual abuse material charges typically follow lengthy digital investigations conducted by state or federal law enforcement agencies, often in coordination with multiple jurisdictions. Charges of this nature are prosecuted at the state level in Florida and can carry significant prison sentences upon conviction.
This story will be updated as more details are released.