Zephyrhills Man Accused Of Possessing Child Porn, Molesting Teen

ZEPHYRHILLS, FL -- A 49-year-old Zephyrhills man has been charged with possession of child pornography and sexual battery of a 13-year-old.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office received two tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Joseph Anthony Ponchot of 9th Street had downloaded a total of 66 files of child pornography from Google websites. During an investigation, sheriff's detectives found pornographic files on Ponchot's cell phone.

In an interview, detectives said Ponchot admitted to possessing and producing child pornography. He was arrested on Tuesday. The investigation is continuing.

In a separate case, Zephyhills Police also arrested Ponchot on Tuesday, Feb.. 12, after he was accused of having a 13-year-old perform oral sex on him. Ponchot admitted that he was aware of the teen's age when he engaged in sexual contact.

He was charged with 10 counts of possessing child porn and one count of sexual battery of a minor.

He's being held at the Land O' Lake Detention Center on a $100,000 bond.

Image via Pasco Sheriff

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