Man Arrested for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

NEWS RELEASE 22-013 - MARCH 03, 2022
BRIGHT, JOSHUA

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested a 33-year-old Sarasota man for Possession and Transmission of Child Sexual Abuse Material.

Detectives began their investigation in December when they received several tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about more than 30 videos and images depicting child pornography uploaded to Google and Tumblr servers. Through investigation, detectives utilized the IP address used to upload the files to identify Joshua Bright, DOB 02/27/89, as the suspect. A search of his Google and Tumblr accounts yielded 42 additional images and videos with victims ranging in age from 5 to 16 years old. During an interview, Bright admitted to sending illegal images to others online and later trying to destroy his cell phone by throwing it into a pond.

Bright, of 15732 Wilson Road, was arrested Wednesday and is charged with 40 counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material and a single count of Transmission of Child Sexual Abuse Material by Electronic Device. He remains in custody without bond while the investigation continues.