A Miami-Dade County Public Schools psychologist has been arrested on charges of possessing and distributing child pornography, according to the Miami-Dade Police Department. Dr. Robert Lee Turner, identified as an autism specialist through his LinkedIn profile, purportedly uploaded two videos of child sexual abuse material to over 50 users.
Following a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on May 28, Miami-Dade Police's Internet Crimes Against Children Unit launched an investigation, which led to a search warrant being issued for an Instagram account linked to the activity on August 7. The Miami-Dade Police Department's release stated that the account was traced back to Turner, who admitted to ownership of the said account. During a subsequent search of his residence on 18292 SW 148th Road in Miami, FL, Turner reportedly barricaded himself in a bathroom before being arrested and charged with multiple offenses related to child pornography, as well as resisting arrest without violence.
More disturbing details emerged as investigators found a photo of a video library containing 28 thumbnails to videos with 205 files, amounting to approximately two hours of content depicting child sexual abuse. The victims in these materials have been described as boys and girls between the ages of 6 to 14. As reported by The Miami Herald, Turner engaged in group text threads discussing child pornography, responding with comments like "yummy" and "nice f***" in reaction to the videos of children.
Taken into custody by the department's Special Response Team, Turner found himself at the Jackson South Medical Center for a medical evaluation before he was booked at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. In bond court today, a judge set his bond at $28,000 and placed him under house arrest, per court records, his residence on 18292 SW 148th Road in Miami. Miami-Dade Public Schools have yet to respond to requests for comment on the situation.
The Miami-Dade Police Department has indicated that the investigation into this case is ongoing. Turner's charges include sexual performance by a child, possession and promotion of child sexual abuse material, and resisting arrest without violence. Case number PD240723230462 marks the legal proceedings against the accused in a story that is still developing.
