Florida Authorities Arrest Seven in Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), in collaboration with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), has successfully apprehended seven residents from Florida as part of a continuing investigation into an international crime ring distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Details of the Investigation

According to reports, the suspects acquired the illegal material through advertisements posted on social media platform TikTok. Investigators believe that a ringleader of the operation is currently based in Turkey, for whom a warrant has been issued in an attempt to facilitate extradition to Florida.

Volume of Material Involved

During their investigation, an undercover agent managed to purchase an alarming 6.7 terabytes of child pornography, which included approximately 1.2 million images and videos. “It’s disgusting that child sexual abuse material is advertised in plain view on apps such as TikTok,” stated Attorney General Uthmeier, emphasizing the responsibility of social media companies to eliminate such content.

Impact of the Arrests

These arrests are considered a crucial first step in combating the spread of child sexual abuse material. Uthmeier echoed this sentiment, stating, “Every image of child abuse leaves a lasting scar on an innocent life, and we will aggressively prosecute these heinous crimes.”

Origin and Progress of the Investigation

This operation initiated in July 2024 when an FDLE agent conducted a proactive review of a website known to list child sexual abuse content. The investigation quickly escalated after the identification of a user selling this material, leading to multiple listings being uncovered and the swift removal of the website within a week.

Suspects Arrested

The individuals arrested as part of this investigation are:

• Brett Ryan Moore, 40, Orange City
• Brett Allen Snodderly, 46, Clearwater
• Frankie Pineiro Jr., 27, Groveland
• Michael Andrew Warden, 31, Kissimmee
• Jacob Ross Conly, 24, Fern Park
• Kody Vance Jordan-Muti, 30, Palm Bay
• Israel Cole Thompson, 32, Lakeland

All charges against these individuals include conspiracy to commit RICO, purchasing child sexual abuse material, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

Leaders of the Operation

Central to this investigation is Krunalkumar Modi, 39, of New Jersey, who was arrested on July 31 on multiple charges including promotion of sexual performance by a child. Further inquiries revealed Modi’s involvement in a larger distribution network led by a figure identified as “John De Vil,” later confirmed to be Mehmet Bozuyuk. Bozuyuk, residing in Adana, Turkey, has allegedly used various stolen identities to facilitate the global distribution of CSAM.

Outlook and Public Safety

The search continues not only for Bozuyuk, but also for Ximena Del Real Maqueda of Portland, Oregon, who faces charges related to money laundering associated with this operation. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and have provided resources for online safety at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s website.

For further information on safe online practices for children, you can visit the FDLE’s guide.