CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. – John Luis Venable, 81, of Homosassa, was arrested on January 29, 2025, on a warrant for 12 counts of possession of child pornography. The arrest followed a search warrant executed at his residence on January 23rd by detectives with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) High Tech Crimes Unit (HTCU) and agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
The investigation began with a Cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which indicated images of child pornography were being accessed from Venable’s residence. During the search, numerous electronic devices belonging to Venable were seized. A digital forensic examination of these devices revealed thousands of images and videos of child pornography.
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“In today’s digital world, predators are increasingly using the internet to access and share child pornography,” said Detective Ben Wilson. “Offenders like Venable are everywhere online, and it is the job of the CCSO’s High Tech Crimes Unit to shine a light into the dark corners where they lurk. The highly trained detectives in our unit utilize the most current technology to track offenders, protect children, and ensure the safety of our community.”
Venable is currently being held at the Citrus County Detention Facility on a $900,000 bond, as set by Judge Amber Thomas.
“Detective Wilson’s dedication and hard work in this case led to the identification and arrest of a predator in our community,” said Sergeant Tiffany Barry of the High Tech Crimes Unit. “I am very proud of the hard work of the entire HTCU in this case. We will continue to work with our partners in FDLE and the Fifth Judicial Circuit to locate, arrest, and prosecute offenders like Venable to keep Citrus County’s children safe.”
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The investigation is ongoing. The CCSO urges the public to report any suspected cases of child pornography or abuse by calling (352) 726-1121.
To remain anonymous and potentially be eligible for a reward, contact Crime Stoppers of Citrus County at 1-888-ANY-TIPS (888-269-8477) or online at www.CrimeStoppersCitrus.com [invalid URL removed].
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