ORLANDO, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, on Monday in Orlando, announced major developments in the state’s ongoing crackdown on child predators exploiting popular social media platforms.
The update follows two significant cases—one resulting in a re-arrest, the other in a sentencing—that highlight the state’s aggressive pursuit of offenders who use online tools to target children, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Devon Huart, 20, of Leesburg, was rearrested on 11 additional counts of possession of child pornography after investigators say they uncovered 10 more illicit files following his initial arrest in late January, according to the news release.
The investigation began with a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, prompting the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to execute a search warrant at Huart’s home on Jan. 30. Though Huart initially denied possessing child sexual abuse materials, he later admitted to owning them during a post-Miranda interview.
In a separate case, Michael Ambrosio, 52, of New Port Richey, was sentenced on 15 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of possession with intent to promote. Both cases, Uthmeier said, exemplify the growing threat posed by predators operating on mainstream digital platforms.
On March 9, 2026, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced in Orlando that two child predators were arrested or sentenced after using popular social media apps to share illegal child sexual abuse materials, underscoring the state’s push to protect children and crack down on online exploitation. (AG Uthmeier, X)
“Time and again, our office is prosecuting child predators who use social media platforms to share disgusting content and groom children,” Uthmeier said in a statement. “Protecting kids is my number one priority, and today’s takedown of two more predators makes a record 1,400 in a year. They’ll face long sentences behind bars or the death penalty, where eligible.”
FDLE Assistant Commissioner Mike Williams emphasized the agency’s commitment to rooting out predators who use online anonymity to harm children.
“Our agents work hard to remove these criminals who commit such heinous acts and target our children. You can rest assured that we will find them and bring them to justice,” he said.
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Since Uthmeier’s appointment in February 2025, the Office of Statewide Prosecution has been linked to the takedown of over 1,400 child predators and has participated in more than 1,500 child exploitation investigations, according to the AG’s Office. Officials note that many offenders use widely available social media and messaging apps—an alarming trend that underscores the need for ongoing vigilance by parents and law enforcement alike.
The Attorney General’s Office continues to encourage the public to report suspicious online activity and reminds parents to monitor their children’s digital interactions closely, as offenders increasingly use mainstream platforms to share illicit materials and initiate contact with minors.
