FORT WALTON BEACH, Florida (WALA) – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested a 46-year-old Fort Walton Beach man for alleged possession of child sexual abuse material.

Michael Esarey faces multiple charges, including 30 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, one count of transmitting child sexual abuse material, and one count of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.

The investigation began in October when agents discovered a user of the file-sharing network, later identified as Esarey, downloading and transmitting files containing child sexual abuse.

During a search of his home, agents said they found thousands of child sexual exploitation files; some of the children were as young as seven years old.

Esarey was booked into the Okaloosa County Jail and is being held on $315,000 bond.

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