An Ocklawaha man was arrested after allegedly uploading child pornography to a messaging platform.
On May 20, local law enforcement got a tip related to an email belonging to 33-year-old Blake Austin West, according to an arrest report from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. A Kik account of his had uploaded two videos of a nude female child on May 19 and 20, meeting the criteria for child pornography.
The initial investigation found a Cash App account associated with his name, which revealed his address on Southeast 171st Court in Ocklawaha. This also brought up a suspicious incident in which a deputy caught him speaking to female children outside of a gas station in Silver Springs, the report said.
A deeper look into West’s internet presence revealed nine other email addresses associated with him. A search warrant was subsequently obtained for his Kik account, which resulted in the discovery of two more videos depicting child pornography. He also exchanged several messages with children who he instructed to say they were 18 so it would be “legal.” In addition, he asked a 15-year-old girl to send him pictures, most likely nudes, and pictures of her feet, the report said.
West traded pornography with other Kik users, as well. They discussed sharing content of “little females,” “tiny women” and “little ones,” the report said.
Additionally, a check of law enforcement databases revealed West presumably lived with his grandmother and two other people, the report said.
West was ultimately arrested on a warrant Thursday afternoon charging him with four counts of possess/control/view depiction of child pornography. He was transported to Marion County Jail with a $40,000 bond.