Crime & Safety
Clearwater Police Charge School Employee In Child Porn Case
Paul is accused of possessing and transmitting more than 18,000 images of child pornography, many of which showed children being raped.
CLEARWATER, FL — Clearwater Police detectives have charged a Clearwater man with 20 counts of possession of child pornography.
Charles Daniel Paul, 32, of the 1500 block of Carroll Street in Clearwater was booked into the Pinellas County Jail late Friday afternoon.
At the time of his arrest, he was employed by the Pinellas County School District at Belleair Elementary School as the food services manager. He has resigned from his job with the school district.
Find out what's happening in Clearwaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Paul is accused of possessing and transmitting more than 18,000 images of child pornography, many of which showed children being raped and sexually abused. A search warrant was served on his home Thursday, and he was arrested Friday.
The case originated with a tip from Largo Police, who worked together with Clearwater Police throughout the investigation.
Find out what's happening in Clearwaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Detectives do not believe any of the images are children from the elementary school or from the area.
The investigation continues, and additional charges may be forthcoming.
Anyone with information on the case should call Clearwater Police at 727-562-4242.
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