Escambia County Man Arrested on Multiple Cyber Crime Charges

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has arrested 35-year-old Robert Demarcus King II of Pensacola on multiple felony charges involving child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) following a cyber-crime investigation.

King faces 20 counts of possession of CSAM, all charged as second-degree felonies, and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, a third-degree felony.

Details of the Investigation and Arrest

The operation began following a cybertip submitted in June 2026 by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The tip flagged an IP address linked to King’s Pensacola residence after an unidentified user uploaded over 1,500 digital files depicting the sexual abuse of children.

On July 21, 2026, FDLE agents, joined by deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), executed a search warrant at King’s home. Law enforcement seized multiple electronic devices. A preliminary forensic examination of the hardware revealed illicit CSAM files, including images depicting female children as young as toddlers.

Investigators determined that King utilized a mobile messaging application on his devices to acquire and transmit the illicit material.

Current Legal Status

King was booked into the Escambia County Jail, where he is currently held without bond pending his initial court appearance. The case is being prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit. Under Florida law, conviction on second-degree felonies carries significant prison sentences.

Understanding CSAM and Child Protection Resources

In light of cases involving child exploitation, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and child advocacy groups emphasize public awareness, prevention, and early intervention.

What Constitutes Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)?

Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)—formerly referred to legally and broadly as child pornography—encompasses any visual depiction (photographs, videos, digital media, or computer-generated imagery) of a minor under the age of 18 engaging in sexually explicit conduct or depicted in a sexually explicit or abusive manner. Federal and state laws strictly criminalize the creation, possession, distribution, downloading, and solicitation of these materials.

Help and Resources for Individuals Seeking Intervention

Public health and child safety organizations emphasize that individuals experiencing unwanted sexual attractions or thoughts toward minors can seek confidential, professional help before any harm occurs:

StopItNow.org

• Stop It Now! Helpline: A national, confidential resource providing guidance, information, and clinical referrals for adults concerned about their own thoughts or behaviors, as well as for concerned family members.
  • Phone: 1-888-PREVENT (1-888-773-8368) StopItNow.org
  • Website: stopitnow.org
• WhatsOK (For Youth & Young Adults): A specialized confidential helpline and online resource designed for individuals ages 14–21 with concerns about their own or a peer’s sexual thoughts or online behaviors (whatsok.org).
• Confidential Mental Health Therapy: Specialized licensed mental health clinicians trained in impulse control and forensic psychology offer non-judgmental counseling designed to prevent sexual offense behavior.

How Parents and Guardians Can Protect Children Online

Child safety experts from NCMEC and the FBI recommend several practical steps for families to safeguard children in digital spaces:

1. Maintain Open Communication: Establish regular, non-judgmental check-ins about what children encounter online, ensuring they know they can come to a parent or trusted adult if someone makes them uncomfortable.
2. Teach Red Flag Behaviors: Educate children on common online grooming tactics, such as strangers asking to move conversations to private messaging apps, offering game currency/gifts, or asking to keep secrets from parents. New Mexico Dream Center
3. Use Privacy Controls & Smart Device Placement: Keep Internet-connected computers, tablets, and gaming consoles in shared, high-traffic areas of the home rather than private bedrooms. Turn off public chat features on online video games and utilize parental control software to filter content. New Mexico Dream Center
4. Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect a child is being groomed or if illegal material is discovered online, file a report immediately with law enforcement or directly through NCMEC’s CyberTipline at 1-800-843-5678 or cybertipline.org.
   
   This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.