LUTZ, Fla. — A 61-year-old Hillsborough County man was arrested after detectives executing a court-authorized search warrant allegedly found more than 1,000 files containing child sexual abuse material on an electronic device, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities identified the suspect as Charles Price, 61, of Lutz. HCSO said the material involved juvenile victims estimated to be between 5 and 12 years old and that investigators also identified online activity associated with the device involving the transmission and trading of CSAM.
Investigation began with a CyberTipline report
HCSO said the investigation began on July 27, 2026, after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received a CyberTipline report identifying an alleged upload of child sexual abuse material.
Detectives developed information during the investigation that led them to a residence in Lutz and identified Price as the suspect, according to the sheriff’s office. HCSO has not publicly identified which company, platform or person generated the original CyberTipline report.
NCMEC operates the CyberTipline as a national reporting system for suspected online child sexual exploitation. Reports may come from members of the public and electronic service providers. A CyberTipline report itself is not proof of a crime; in this case, authorities say they conducted an investigation and later obtained a search warrant.
Internet Predators Unit and SWAT execute warrant
On Sept. 14, 2026, detectives assigned to HCSO’s Internet Predators Unit, assisted by the agency’s SWAT team, served the search warrant at Price’s home.
During the search, detectives said they discovered an electronic device containing more than 1,000 files of alleged CSAM. The sheriff’s public release does not identify the type of device or say whether additional computers, phones, drives or accounts were seized.
Investigators describe alleged victims as ages 5 to 12
The sheriff’s office said the material involved children between approximately 5 and 12 years old. HCSO has not said how many unique children are depicted, whether any of the children have been identified through this investigation or whether any local child is alleged to have been directly victimized by Price.
The agency has also not publicly alleged that Price personally produced the material. The announced allegations concern possession or solicitation of CSAM, online transmission or trading activity, use of a communications device and obstruction during service or execution of the warrant.
HCSO alleges online transmission and trading
HCSO said investigators identified online activity associated with the electronic device that involved the transmission and trading of CSAM. The agency has not identified the website, application, messaging service, file-sharing network or other platform allegedly involved.
Authorities also have not publicly disclosed how long the alleged activity had occurred, how many people Price allegedly communicated with, whether additional suspects were identified, whether investigators recovered messages or whether other search warrants resulted from the digital evidence.
Sheriff’s office lists 1,000 CSAM counts
HCSO listed the charges as Solicitation or Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (Ten or More Images and Content of Images) — x1000, one count of Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device, and Obstruction of Service or Execution of Search Warrant.
The “x1000” notation is the sheriff’s description of the arrest charges. The number and grading of charges ultimately pursued in court can change after prosecutors review evidence and file formal charging documents.
Florida law can treat separate files as separate offenses
Florida Statute section 827.071 prohibits knowingly soliciting, possessing, controlling or intentionally viewing qualifying child sexual abuse material. The statute provides that separate qualifying photographs, videos, images, computer depictions or other presentations may constitute separate offenses under specified circumstances.
Florida Statute section 775.0847 also provides for reclassification of qualifying CSAM offenses when statutory quantity and content requirements are met. Because sentencing exposure depends on the specific evidence, charging documents, criminal history and judicial rulings, Newsleash is not multiplying theoretical statutory maximums across 1,000 counts.
Two-way communications device allegation
Price also faces an allegation of unlawful use of a two-way communications device. Florida Statute section 934.215 addresses use of such a device to facilitate or further commission of a felony. HCSO has not publicly identified the particular communication or device that forms the factual basis for that count.
Obstruction allegation not detailed
The sheriff’s office additionally listed obstruction of service or execution of a search warrant. Florida law separately criminalizes knowingly and willfully obstructing, resisting or opposing authorized execution of a search warrant. HCSO has not explained what Price allegedly did to prompt the obstruction allegation, so Newsleash is not assigning any particular conduct to that charge.
Sheriff Chad Chronister addresses arrest
Sheriff Chad Chronister said the case serves as a warning that people who seek to exploit children will be pursued by detectives and said the agency will continue working to protect vulnerable members of the community. His use of the term “predators” reflects the sheriff’s statement; Price has not been convicted.
What remains undisclosed
The sheriff’s public announcement does not provide the exact address searched, the online service associated with the CyberTipline report, the device type, the number of devices seized, whether deleted material or cloud accounts were recovered, how long the alleged collection existed, whether Price allegedly communicated directly with children, whether local victims have been identified, how many unique children appear in the files, or what conduct underlies the obstruction count.
Digital investigation remains active
HCSO said the investigation is ongoing. Digital forensic review can continue after an arrest and may lead to additional or modified allegations, additional warrants or identification of other accounts or users. The sheriff’s office has not announced additional arrests tied to Price.
Why Newsleash uses the term CSAM
Newsleash uses the term child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, rather than pornography because the material documents or depicts sexual exploitation or abuse of children. The terminology is also used by child-protection organizations and Florida law.
Presumption of innocence
Price has been arrested and accused, not convicted. The announced counts remain allegations, and prosecutors bear the burden of proving any charges pursued in court beyond a reasonable doubt. Newsleash will update the case if HCSO or court records provide additional information.
Primary source: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Release 26-151, Sept. 14, 2026. Additional legal references: Florida Statutes sections 827.071, 775.0847, 934.215 and 933.15; National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline materials.
