Dark Web teen arrested: “These are not youthful mistakes, but serious crimes”
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2026 11:49 pm
https://patch.com/florida/southtampa/16 ... gh-sheriff
VALRICO, FL — A 16-year-old Valrico boy faces multiple charges after being accused of downloading child pornography from the dark web, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
The teen was charged with two counts of solicitation or possession of child pornography, two counts of unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and two counts of film, distribute, or possess image or video of sexual activity with an animal.
Though the sheriff’s office has named the teen, it’s Patch policy not to name juveniles accused of a crime unless they’re charged as an adult. It’s unknown whether the boy was charged as a minor or an adult.