John Frederick Black, Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to Minors, Florida 2026

Harris County Detective Charged with Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to Minors

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – In a shocking turn of events, Harris County detective John Frederick Black, 46, of Houston, Texas, has been charged with one count of attempted transfer of obscene material to minors.

The charge was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, after an undercover operation in Tallahassee uncovered the alleged crime. According to court documents, in January 2026, Leon County Sheriff’s Office detectives participated in the operation, targeting adults who used the Internet to sexually exploit children.

During the operation, Black allegedly contacted an undercover officer who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl and engaged in sexually explicit conversation. The defendant also sent obscene photographs and videos of himself.

The investigation revealed that Black resided in Texas and was employed as a detective with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

The case involves an investigation by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.

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