Hollywood Man Charged With Possession Of Child Porn
HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) – A Hollywood man was taken into custody more than a week and charged with multiple counts of possession of child pornography.
Now police are releasing his picture in an effort to identify possible victims.
According to police spokeswoman Lieutenant Diana Pereria, on March 16th officers were conducting an operation along Lincoln Street when they encountered 54-year old Michael McCarthy. In McCarthy's apartment, the officers reportedly saw child pornography out in plain view.
Police said they noticed it right away, it was right out in the open.
"On the screensaver there were acts of young girls performing sexual acts with men," said Hollywood Police Lt. Diana Pereira.
Investigators were initially called to his house after someone called to say McCarthy told them he had enough explosives in his home to blow up a three block area, but they never found any explosives.
Most neighbors CBS4 spoke to never saw him before, or if they did, it was rare. But now, they'll definitely be watching.
"It concerns me because I have a 12 year old," said nearby resident Maria Fernandez, "and he stays at home while I work."
For mothers who live nearby with their kids, it's tough to realize a man accused of downloading pornographic images of kids is the guy next door.
"It's a surprise," said Teniquea Stanley, "I didn't know someone was living that close.
Investigators said they found 83 pictures of kiddy porn on his computer. Most of it showed girls between 6 and 14-years-old. Investigators said McCarthy believes sex between kids and adults is art.
"He thought child pornography was art," said Lt. Pereira. "Although he did categorize it as torture, he thought it was art, which makes absolutely no sense."
Although all the pictures on the computer all appear to have been downloaded from other places, investigators want people in the neighborhood to get a good look at McCarthy, just in case there are any local victims.
Anyone with information on children who may have come in contact with McCarthy is asked to call the Hollywood Police Department at (954) 967- 4357.
