OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Ocala Police Department (OPD) arrested a 74-year-old man on child pornography charges.
OPD alleges George Hicks had over 35,000 images and over 120 videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
How the case unfolded
Detectives say they received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) flagging a particular IP address for CSAM.
Detectives traced the IP address to Cox Communications. They used subpoena power to compel Cox to reveal who the IP address belonged to. Cox confirmed Hicks was the subscriber.
From there, authorities obtained a warrant to search Hicks’ home. There they say they discovered multiple electronic devices and flash drives with the thousands of images and videos.
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Police arrested and charged Hicks with twenty counts of child pornography. Marion County Jail records show that he was also charged with possessing less than twenty grams of marijuana. He is being held at the county jail on a $101,000 bond. Hicks has a court date scheduled for Oct. 24.