A 31-year-old Gilchrist County man was arrested last week after allegedly downloading multiple child pornographic videos off the Internet.
According to Special Agent John McDonald of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Scott Michael Sheheane was collecting and saving child pornography on a laptop computer.
He has been charged with 13 felony counts of possession of child pornography.
Sheheane lives at 6650 SE 60th Avenue, which is in southeast Gilchrist County. He is reportedly unemployed and lives in a wood frame home owned by Tammie McWilliams and William Heckert.
After obtaining a search warrant, special agents from FDLE and deputies from the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office searched the home and seized all computer hardware, including a laptop computer, a webcam, headphones and five DVDs.
According to Special Agent McDonald, who is a member of the North Florida Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, Sheheane downloaded pornographic videos off the Internet between April 17, 2010 and October 14, 2010.
Sheheane was reportedly downloading and sharing child pornography using peer-to-peer software. Once downloaded, the child pornography was then placed in a folder that the computer user chose to publicly share.
After being arrested Sheheane was transported to the Gilchrist County Jail, where he is currently being held.
On Friday, Jan. 21 Sheheane appeared before Judge Ed Philman, who set his bond at $650,000, which is $50,000 per count. A public defender was assigned to Sheheane at first appearance.
At press time, Sheheane was scheduled for arraignment on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 9 a.m. Circuit Judge Mark Moseley will preside.
Prior to the possession of child pornography charges, Sheheane’s arrest history includes charges of operating a vehicle without a license and worthless checks.