Broward County, FL - A Broward County man has been arrested for producing and possessing child pornography after posing as a young girl online to communicate with and solicit underage females.
According to the Broward Sheriff's Office, 51-year-old Julio Sanchez was arrested in Tamarac on 14 charges including production of child pornography, solicitation of a minor, tampering with evidence, and multiple counts of possession of child pornography
The investigation into Sanchez began last month when authorities received a tip from an internet service provider that a person was suspected of viewing child pornography.
Detectives traced the tip back to Sanchez, who initially denied the allegations and claimed he had recently lost his cellphone.
However, detectives found Sanchez's phone and laptop in a false compartment in a cabinet.
Investigators allege that Sanchez posed as a young female online to engage with underage females in “catfishing” attempts, resulting in the victims sending him numerous pornographic videos.
“Catfishing” refers to the practice of creating a fake online identity to engage in deceptive relationships, and is commonly used by online predators to lure children into sexual exploitation or other forms of abuse.
Detectives also discovered Sanchez was in possession of multiple images of child pornography involving children as young as toddler age.
When confronted by police, Sanchez admitted to the crimes.
He was arrested and booked into jail where he remains held without bond.