FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) - Authorities say a central Florida police officer is facing child porn charges.
The U.S. Attorney's Office reports that Michael Edwin Harding made his first appearance in federal court Wednesday. The Port St. Lucie officer is charged with receiving and distributing material involving sexual exploitation of minors and possession of child pornography. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
A criminal complaint says that child pornography was posted in July from an instant messaging account that belonged to Harding. A search warrant was executed at Harding's home Tuesday. Investigators say a search of his computer and other devices revealed hundreds of images and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
It wasn't immediately known if Harding had an attorney.
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9/23/2015 5:17:23 PM (GMT -4:00)
