Sex With Animal, Child Porn Charges Filed Against Tampa Men: Sheriff

TAMPA, FL — Two Tampa men are behind bars on dozens of criminal charges after being accused of having sex with an animal and possessing child pornography.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrested Phillip Vanermine, 42, and Jay Goebel, 30, who live together at Vanermine's home in 7600 block of Pine Hill Drive, just west of Temple Terrace. Authorities made the arrests after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The center, which monitors social media accounts for evidence of child pornography, notified the sheriff's office that an account in Vanermine's name had uploaded pornographic photos.

After obtaining a search warrant, detectives inspected Vanermine's home and found additional images of child pornography on his cell phone, officials said.

Detectives also found child pornography on Goebel's cell phone as well as videos of Goebel engaging in sex acts with an animal, the sheriff's office said.

Vanermine remains in jail on $154,000 bail after being charged with 44 counts of transmission of child pornography by an electronic device and possession of 10 or more images of child pornography.

Goebel remains in jail without bail on 35 counts of possessing child pornography, one count of possession of obscene material, aggravated cruelty to animals and engaging in sexual conduct with an animal.

Detectives are continuing to investigate and say more charges may be filed.

Five dogs, seven cats, three snakes and 11 cockatiels were voluntarily surrendered by Goebel and Vanermine. Hillsborough County Pet Resources placed the animals in multiple shelters to be put up for adoption.

"This atrocious behavior has no place in our community, nor in society," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "It is illegal, it is heartless and the work of evil. They will get what they deserve for their criminal acts, and that is time behind bars and a lifetime of regrets for this egregious and selfish behavior."