PALM HARBOR, Fla. – Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to arrest a Palm Harbor man for Lewd and Lascivious Battery and Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a child.
According to detectives, the investigation began when an internet tip was received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Through various investigative techniques, detectives learned 22-year-old Gavin Brannon was in possession of images of child pornography.
During the investigation, detectives learned Brannon was the suspect in a child pornography investigation in Loudoun County Virginia and the Federal Bureau of Investigation served a search warrant at his residence for child pornography. Pinellas detectives and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation learned Brannon molested the victim several times while he lived in Palm Harbor which he admitted to during an interview. Brannon also admitted to photographing the victim and distributing the images.
Brannon was arrested and transported to the Pinellas County Jail on federal charges of possessing and distributing child pornography. Pinellas County detectives charged Brannon with Lewd and Lascivious Battery and Lewd and Lascivious Molestation.
If you have any information concerning this suspect or believe you may have been a victim, you are asked to contact Detective Schofield and (727) 582-6200 or by email at cschofield@pcsonet.com.