A 20-year-old Ocala man has been arrested after multiple images and videos depicting child pornography were found on his cellphone.
On March 28, Ocala Police Department officers and Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team agents executed a search warrant on a residence located on Pine Pass Lane in connection with a narcotics investigation. According to OPD, Lamonta Jaquez Sharod Mitchell lived at the address, and the property was being rented by one of his relatives who does not reside there.
The OPD report from March 28 stated that Mitchell had been observed “selling narcotics” at the residence with several individuals who were in possession of firearms. Mitchell was also observed with “large amounts of cash and marijuana,” according to the report.
When OPD officers and UDEST agents searched the residence, they found a large amount of marijuana, along with a handgun and a large 50-round drum magazine. Mitchell’s cellphone was also seized, and an additional search warrant was granted in April to examine its contents.
According to OPD, detectives proceeded to conduct a thorough search of Mitchell’s cellphone, and they discovered numerous images and videos of child pornography on the device. On Tuesday, April 11, Mitchell was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $210,000 bond.
Mitchell is facing felony charges for possession of child pornography (20 counts), prohibited computer usage – pornography (two counts), and unlawful use of a two-way communication device (20 counts). In addition, he is also facing charges for ownership, lease, rental, or possession for trafficking in a controlled substance and possession of marijuana in connection with the narcotics case.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 16, according to jail records.