Man arrested after using child porn as screensaver

[Jack Bando]

from ABC News


PUNTA GORDA: An investigation into a suspicious death led to a child porn arrest. Punta Gorda Police charged 18-year-old John Patrick Johnson with 50 counts of possession of child pornography.

On July 25, officers went to Johnson's home on North Sea Grape Drive to investigate a suspicious death. The death has since been ruled an accident, but while detectives were in the home they noticed a pornographic image on the screen of Johnson's computer.

Investigators say the image showed an underage female in a sexually suggestive pose.

Detectives immediately got a search warrant and seized Johnson's computer. After combing over files on the hard drive for almost a month, investigators found 50 child pornography movies and pictures.

"It was surprising to find it to begin with, but the amount that was found is the most surprising," said Jason Ciaschini of the Punta Gorda Police Department.

Wednesday morning, officers went to Johnson's home and arrested him. He is being held in the Charlotte County Jail on $125,000 bond.

Amazingly, police say Johnson claimed to be trying to set up pedophiles in a personal sting operation.

Neighbors highly doubt that.

"He was just a little too close. He liked our kids a lot and said 'I'm watching your children play,'" said Teya Asker.

The search of Johnson's computer continues and police say more charges could be filed.

Nobody answered the door at Johnson's home Wednesday and Johnson declined our request for a jailhouse interview.

Police are still counting the number of porn files on his hard drive. His last words before getting booked were "I told you I had a lot on there."