A 61-year-old St. Augustine man was arrested after detectives say they uncovered child sexual abuse material and a cache of child-like dolls during a sprawling, multi-jurisdiction investigation into alleged child sex crimes. Investigators executed search warrants first in St. Augustine and later in Tennessee, and officials say multiple criminal counts have now been filed. According to authorities, the suspect surrendered to law enforcement in Tennessee late last month on outstanding warrants while the probe continues.
Searches At St. Augustine Home
According to a St. Johns County Sheriff's Office statement, Internet Crimes Against Children detectives executed a search warrant on April 19 at the man’s North Durbin Parkway home. There, deputies say they seized child sexual abuse material, sex toys and multiple child-like sex dolls. The sheriff’s office said evidence from the scene was collected for forensic review while detectives coordinated with partner agencies.
Charges Filed
As reported by WJXT News4JAX, the suspect has been identified by law enforcement as 61-year-old Andrew Pelger. He was arrested and faces nine counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, along with a charge for prohibition of certain acts in connection with obscene lewd materials and a count of resisting an officer without violence. WJXT reports that Pelger turned himself in to the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center on April 30 on outstanding warrants.
Tennessee Searches Yield Dozen Dolls
While Pelger was out on bond, investigators learned he owned a second home in Ooltewah, Tennessee, according to the sheriff’s office. St. Johns County detectives then assisted Hamilton County deputies in executing search warrants at that Tennessee residence and at a nearby storage unit. Authorities recovered 12 child-like dolls during those searches, according to local coverage by WDEF.
Multi-Agency Probe
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation involves the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Jacksonville and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and that the case remains active. The agency’s St. Johns County Sheriff's Office post asks anyone with information to call the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office tip line at 904-824-8304.
Legal Implications
Possessing child sexual abuse material is a felony under Florida law. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement notes that possession, distribution and production of such material are criminal offenses that can be prosecuted under state statutes. Prosecutors are expected to review the forensic findings in this case and determine formal filings, and federal involvement could lead to additional counts under nationwide child-exploitation statutes.
Context
The case tracks with a broader pattern of Internet Crimes Against Children task-force operations that pair local detectives with federal partners to identify, investigate and prosecute people who exploit children online. The Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood coordinates many of those interagency efforts across the country and emphasizes victim identification as a central goal in such investigations.
