The Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 72-year-old Ocala man after receiving a tip that multiple files containing child pornography had been uploaded to the internet from his IP addresses.
During the month of January, an MCSO detective received information stating that files depicting child sexual abuse material had been uploaded to the internet from IP addresses that were assigned to Paul Stephen Zittel, according to a social media post from the sheriff’s office.
A search warrant was obtained for Zittel’s residence, which is located in the 4200 block of SE 46th Street in Ocala. On Thursday, February 23, the search warrant was executed, and contact was made with other residents at the home. According to the sheriff’s office, these residents advised that Zittel “would not allow others into his bedroom or office without personally escorting them.”
During the search of Zittel’s residence, MCSO stated that “countless printed photographs of pornography” were located, many of which depicted images of child sexual abuse. Detectives observed that these printed photographs were arranged in large stacks and boxes throughout Zittel’s bedroom and office, and a printer on his desk appeared to show “obvious signs of heavy use.”
The printed materials were seized from the residence, along with a computer and a digital storage device. Detectives estimated that there were over 220,000 printed images in Zittel’s possession, which weighed approximately 2,600 pounds. According to MCSO, most of these printed materials contained images of child pornography.
Zittel was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $250,000 bond. He is facing felony charges for possession of 10 or more images of child pornography (25 counts).
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, according to jail records.