A 19-year-old man from DeLand who was arrested on over two dozen child pornography charges may have molested children, according to a statement issued by law enforcement authorities.
On Tuesday, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office provided a brief update about its investigation into Anthony Lee Rowell, who was arrested on October 16 on 30 counts of possession of child pornography.
According to the sheriff’s office, during their investigation, detectives determined that Rowell may have molested children at some point in the past.
“Detectives have reason to believe [Rowell], who was recently arrested for possessing child pornography, may have molested children,” reads a statement made by the sheriff’s office on social media.
Rowell, who lived at 2001 Marsh Road, is still in custody at the Volusia County Jail. He was arrested after the sheriff’s office received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which alerted the agency that Rowell had shared or received child pornographic materials online.
During the execution of a search warrant at his home, authorities recovered multiple cell phones, computers, laptops, hard drives, video recorders, and tablets for forensic examination.
Detectives reportedly found multiple videos and photos of sexual exploitation of girls “estimated to range from infant to 11 years old,” according to VCSO. They allege that Rowell also uploaded multiple files to the internet containing child pornography, sending those files to other users.
Anyone with children who have been in contact with Rowell within the last five years should contact the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Child Exploitation Unit immediately at 386-323-3574.