TAMPA, Fla. – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI)Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit arrested and charged Ethan Deneault, 46, of Tampa, Florida, with three counts of sexual exploitation of children and possession of child sexual abuse material.
Officials in Georgia began an investigation into Deneault in May 2023 while investigating a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the possible online possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
During a forensic search of electronic devices, evidence showed that Deneault was in Butts County, Georgia , in January 2023 when the offenses occurred.
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GBI agents obtained arrest warrants on January 11, 2024. The following day, law enforcement officers with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office located Deneault at his place of employment at the University of Tampa.
Denault was arrested and taken to Hillsborough County Jail, where he is awaiting extradition proceedings.
The University of Tampa’s website lists Denault as on administrative leave.
This investigation is part of the ongoing effort by the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, housed within the GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit, to identify those involved in the child pornography trade.
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