A 33-year-old Ocala man was arrested after he allegedly used a popular mobile messaging app to view videos and images of children as young as toddlers being sexually abused.
On June 6, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which indicated that an account had uploaded numerous files of child sexual abuse material via the Kik messaging app, according to the arrest report.
An investigation revealed that multiple Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in Central Florida had been used to upload the files containing child sexual abuse material. The report stated that these files included several videos depicting the sexual abuse of a female toddler.
An MCSO corporal noted in the report that a search warrant was obtained for a Kik account belonging to Duane Ralph Murphy, and investigators allegedly found files of child sexual abuse material on the account.
A search warrant was then obtained for Murphy’s residence on Oak Circle Course in Ocala, and it was executed by the sheriff’s office on Thursday, July 18. The report stated that Murphy was at the home at the time of the search, along with his girlfriend and their infant child.
Murphy was detained in handcuffs. After being read his Miranda rights, he stated that he moved to the Ocala home approximately three months earlier. He initially denied creating an account on the Kik messaging app, though he later admitted to using a Kik account to obtain child sexual abuse material, according to the report.
During the search of Murphy’s home, electronic devices belonging to Murphy were seized, and a forensic analysis revealed images depicting toddlers and young children engaged in sexual acts with adults. The sheriff’s office stated that several other devices are still being analyzed, which could lead to additional charges against Murphy.
Murphy was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail. He is currently being held on $7,500 bond, and he is being charged with possession of child pornography (three counts).
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, according to jail records.