A Lake City man is behind bars after sheriff's detectives say they uncovered more than 20 still images and videos of child sexual abuse material on a computer during a series of search warrants and forensic checks. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office says 30-year-old Joshua Lee Hoger was taken into custody, booked into the county detention facility and is being held on $275,000 bond. Investigators say the case began with a tip to a national reporting system and that the probe is still active.
According to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Hoger and booked him into the Columbia County Detention Facility on Feb. 12. He is charged with possession, control or intentional viewing of child pornography under Florida Statute 827.071(5)(a) and with using a two-way communications device to commit a felony under F.S. 934.215, the post states. The sheriff's office says search warrants and computer forensic work turned up the images and videos and that the ongoing investigation could bring additional counts.
Charges and penalties
Under Florida law, knowingly possessing, controlling or intentionally viewing material that depicts sexual conduct by a child is a third-degree felony, and prosecutors can file a separate count for each image or file. The unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate a felony is also a third-degree offense that can carry prison time and fines, as outlined by the Florida Senate.
How detectives traced the files
According to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, detectives identified a suspect after receiving a cyber tip on Jan. 26 and launched an inquiry with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. NCMEC's CyberTipline serves as a national clearinghouse for reports from platforms and the public and routes leads to local law enforcement, the organization explains on its site. Investigators say those leads helped them secure search warrants and run forensic checks that produced the digital files now at the center of the case.
What's next
Hoger remains jailed on $275,000 bond while he awaits an initial court appearance, and Columbia County detectives say their investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, which lists contact and reporting options on its website.
