Tampa Man Charged with Distributing and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Materials

A former Hillsborough County elementary school head custodian has been indicted for distributing and possessing child sexual abuse materials, federal authorities announced Tuesday.

Charles Mark Currie, 64, of Tampa, was charged with distribution and possession of child sexual abuse materials, a crime that carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and up to 40 years in federal prison, as well as a potential life term of supervised release.

Currie was previously employed by the School District of Hillsborough County as a head custodian for West Shore Elementary School until he resigned in January of 2021.

According to the indictment, on September 5, 2020, Currie knowingly distributed over the internet visual depictions of children being sexually abused. On January 26, 2021, Currie also knowingly possessed multiple electronic devices, including a desktop computer, that contained visual depictions of children under the age of 12 being sexually abused.

“An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty,” stated Acting United States Attorney Karin Hoppmann.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa M. Spergel.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact Homeland Security Investigations through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2423 or by completing its online tip form.

This case is another example of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006, marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Defendant: Charles Mark Currie

Criminal Charges: Distribution and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials

City and State: Tampa, Florida

Exact Date: September 5, 2020, and January 26, 2021

Sentence or Outcome: Up to 40 years in federal prison, potential life term of supervised release

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