A Marion County school paraprofessional is behind bars after deputies say a routine check at a Waffle House led them to a Google account packed with child sexual abuse material.
Phillip Demon Duncan, 25, of Silver Springs, was arrested Thursday and booked into the Marion County Jail on 20 counts of possession of child pornography. He is being held without bond. Detectives say they believe he may have directly victimized a child, and the investigation is still active.
How the case began
According to a Marion County Sheriff’s Office news release reported by ClickOrlando, the investigation began on Dec. 20, 2025, when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children flagged a Google user who had uploaded child sexual abuse material. Detectives obtained legal orders for account information, identified Duncan as the account holder, and, during a forensic review, uncovered dozens of additional files.
What deputies say they found
WFTV reports that Marion County Internet Crimes Against Children detectives described the seized material as child sexual abuse content that included voyeuristic and non-consensual sexual media. Investigators then tied the Google account activity to a residence on Northeast 49th Court in Silver Springs and ultimately located Duncan in a vehicle at the Waffle House on NW 34th Avenue while conducting a warrant check, according to WCJB.
School district response
In a statement to ClickOrlando, Marion County Public Schools confirmed Duncan was hired as a paraprofessional at Oakcrest Elementary on March 9, 2026, and worked there "just over one month." The district said he cleared state-mandated background and fingerprint checks and that he also volunteered as a dance coach at Vanguard High School. The statement added that Duncan "is not allowed on any MCPS property."
What happens next
WCJB reports that Duncan remains held without bond at the Marion County Jail. The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with information about possible additional crimes to contact Detective Osthed at (352) 351-4710.
Investigation context
Marion County has mounted several high-profile Internet Crimes Against Children operations in recent years. A 2025 sweep that led to dozens of arrests highlighted the sheriff’s office focus on online exploitation, according to prior reporting by WFTV. These are allegations at this stage, and Duncan is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
