A Northwest Florida man faces multiple charges of possessing child pornography

FORT WALTON BEACH, FL (WALA) – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has arrested a 46-year-old Fort Walton Beach man for possession of child sex abuse material.

Michael Esarey faces multiple charges, including 30 charges of possession of child sexual abuse material, one charge of transmission of child sexual abuse material and one charge of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a crime.

The investigation began in October when agents discovered a file-sharing network user, later identified as Esarey, downloading and sending child sexual abuse files.

During a search of his home, officers said they found thousands of child sexual exploitation files – some of the children as young as seven years old.

Esarey was booked into the Okaloosa County Jail and is being held on a $315,000 bond.

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