School Custodian In Tampa Sentenced In Child Porn Possession Case: DOJ

TAMPA, FL — A former Hillsborough County elementary school head custodian has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to receiving and possessing child pornography, according to the Department of Justice.

U.S. District Judge Charlene Honeywell sentenced Charles Currie, 66, to eight years and one month in federal prison followed by 15 years of supervised release. Currie is also required to register as a sex offender and the court ordered Currie to turn over the electronic devices he used to commit the offenses, said the DOJ.

Restitution will be ordered by the court at a hearing scheduled for Feb. 3. Currie pleaded guilty on Aug. 19.

According to court documents, in February 2016, Currie received a six-minute video through a peer-to-peer networking application that depicted prepubescent minors being sexually abused.

As of January 2021, Currie also possessed multiple electronic devices containing approximately 2,452 images and 1,595 videos of child sex abuse material, including images and videos depicting toddlers and bondage, said court records.

“Removing this predator from the streets, and out of the school where he was employed is a win for the community,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kristopher Pagitt. “We appreciate our partners at the Tampa Police Department in the successful investigation and prosecution of this case.”