Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested a youth volunteer with Plant City’s Church on the Rock for possession of child pornography.
According to Sheriff’s Office reports, Computer Crimes detectives arrested Aug. 20, 28-year-old Jay Howell Bloodworth, 28, of Lakeland, and charged him with two counts of possession of child pornography.
Bloodworth is an active member of the Church on the Rock and stated he is a volunteer with the youth group; some 30 to 40 juveniles under age 18.
Church staff members located images on a shared computer and contacted the Plant City Police Department, which began an investigation. A forensic examination of the church computer was begun, and child porn images were found in a folder titled, “Jay.” Sheriff’s Office detectives were contacted on Aug. 19. A search warrant was obtained for Bloodworth’s residence where other computer devices were seized.
“Because concerned staff members from Plant City’s Church on the Rock did the right thing, Jay Bloodworth is behind bars,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “This is another example of the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement. Images found on a shared church computer led to this investigation and, ultimately, Bloodworth’s arrest.”
During a post-Miranda interview, Bloodworth confessed to being in possession of child pornography and admitted ownership of the files located during the Plant City Police Department’s investigation. Bloodworth stated he has been viewing child pornography for about 18 months and has viewed it every day for the past two weeks.
Bloodworth stated he uses the social media apps to start group chats with people interested in trading child pornography. Bloodworth stated he only looks for child pornography when he is aroused and views it for sexual gratification. Bloodworth stated he gets gratification from child pornography involving children as young as 13 but has seen child pornography in these groups as young as toddlers.
Forensic examination of Bloodworth’s computer devices are being conducted; appropriate charges will follow should any further evidence be located.
The investigation is ongoing.