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A Florida man was arrested on child pornography charges when police discovered “over one ton” of explicit printed material stored in his home, according to local authorities.
Paul Zittel, 72, was taken into police custody on Thursday in Ocala, Fla., after officers received a tip claiming multiple files depicting child pornography were uploaded to the internet, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Investigators were able to link the uploader’s IP address to Zittel and obtained a search warrant for his residence. Upon inspection, the sheriff’s office discovered more than 220,000 printed images, many of which included child sexual abuse material, in Zittel’s home.
He was arrested on 25 counts of possession of child pornography.
The “countless” printed images were reportedly stored in boxes and large stacks in Zittel’s bedroom and office. Other residents in the home told police that Zittel did not allow anyone into the rooms unescorted.
Authorities allege the physical prints together weighed approximately 2,600 pounds — more than one ton. The Marion County Sherriff’s Office wrote that the printer on Zittel’s desk “displayed obvious signs of heavy use.”
The printed pornography, Zittel’s computer and a storage device were seized by police.
Zittel is currently being held at the Marion County Jail on a US$250,000 bond.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or is involved in an abusive situation, please visit the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime for help. They are also reachable toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.