Port Charlotte man under arrest for possession of child pornography

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla.- A 36-year-old man is under arrest for possession of child pornography.

Authorities served a search warrant Wednesday at Mitchell Beach’s house located on the 1300 block of Yorkshire St.

The investigation began in January when members of the Computer Crimes Unit found a computer that was allowing sharing of files that had been previously confirmed as images of child pornography.  The detectives obtained a subpoena and learned that the computer was located at Beach’s residence.

Between early and mid-March, the detectives were able to connect with that computer and received 25 separate images, 21 of which were consistent with child pornography. After re-confirming that the computer was located at the Yorkshire address, detectives requested a search warrant for the house.

Early Wednesday morning, officials served the search warrant and located the computer in question. Ten initial images of confirmed child pornography were found on the computer and used to form the basis of the charges. Additional counts may be added after a complete analysis of the computer that was taken into custody.

Beach is currently being held at the Charlotte County Jail on a total $100,000 bond.