Child Porn Charges Filed Against Pasco County Schools Employee: U.S. DOJ

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — A Pasco County Schools employee was arrested and charged with child sex abuse material possession, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.

Joel Thomas Lust, 51, of New Port Richey faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

Lust has worked for the school district since Aug. 1, 2005, Pasco News reported. Most recently, he worked in a clerical records role at the District Office Complex, a role he’s held since September 2024.

District officials told Pasco News that he didn’t come in contact with students in this role.

Between March 2023 and May 2024, Lust intentionally possessed and accessed files that contained a visual depiction of the sexual abuse of a child under 12 years old, the DOJ said.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry.

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