Port Orange Man Arrested for Twenty Counts of Possession of Photos Depicting Sexual Performance by a Child.

Written by Kristen Schmutz – Belden Communications

In a news release provided by Evan Doyle, Public Information Officer for Port Orange Police Department, at 3:45 a.m., Thomas S. Paschal was taken into custody for Twenty Counts of Possession of Photos Depicting Sexual Performance by a Child.

According to the release, Police responded to a Sex Offense call yesterday in Port Orange, where a witness who has yet to be named, provided information regarding photo evidence of pornographic images involving children that the witness found on Paschal’s laptop computer roughly four weeks ago while the witness was at Paschal’s home.

The witness reported to police that Paschal has owned the laptop for over 8-years and was the only computer at the residence. After the witness looked through approximately 1,000 images containing child pornography, they closed the laptop and placed it back on the nightstand in Paschal’s room.

The witness reported feeling shocked and feared retaliation from Paschal, which is why it took so long for him to report the incident. Officers gained a warrant early Friday, where it was executed at the residence of Paschal. The laptop was found in Paschal’s Honda Fit.

Paschal is currently being held in Volusia County Branch Jail on a $100,000 Bond. There is an on-going investigation and additional charges are pending.

Port Orange Police are asking if anyone has additional information with regards to this investigation, please contact Det. Higham at 386-506-5894.