A 38-year-old Ocala man who was already in custody on charges of committing sexual offenses against a child is now facing additional charges for possession and distribution of child pornography.
On Monday, August 15, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes detective arrested Rogelio Argote Munoz after he was accused of lewd or lascivious conduct, lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim less than 12 years of age, and attempted sexual battery on a victim less than 12 years of age.
The following day, the MCSO detective obtained a search warrant for Munoz’s residence located in the 7800 block of W Highway 40 in Ocala. During a search of the residence, numerous electronic devices belonging to Munoz were collected, and a senior digital forensic technician conducted a forensic extraction of those devices.
According to a media release from MCSO, the forensic extraction revealed over 100 files depicting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on a cellphone, and two of those files were created by Munoz using that cellphone. The investigation further revealed that Munoz was also involved in two messaging groups in which he shared numerous files, links, and images containing CSAM.
During an interview, Munoz admitted to being involved in the messaging groups and sending CSAM to others. Munoz also advised that he was the only occupant of the residence and the only user of the electronic devices that were collected.
On Friday, August 26, Munoz was charged while in custody at Marion County Jail with 25 counts of possession of child pornography, two counts of manufacturing child pornography, and two counts of distribution of child pornography. He is currently being held at the jail on $215,000 bond.
A court date has been scheduled on Tuesday, September 20 at 9 a.m., according to jail records.