DeLand Man Arrested On Child Pornography, Molestation Charges

Date Added: June 01, 2020 3:00 pm

Andrew Gant
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

**UPDATE:

          More child pornography charges were filed Friday against suspect Adam Steele, who already remained in custody at the Branch Jail. After digital forensics were completed, an arrest warrant was issued Friday for 30 counts of possession of sexual performance by a child. Bond is set at $300,000 -- ($10,000 per count).

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DELAND MAN ARRESTED ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, MOLESTATION CHARGES

A DeLand man has been arrested on child pornography and child molestation charges after Volusia sheriff’s detectives acting on a cybertip discovered photos he took of a child victim.

Adam D. Steele, 33 (DOB 9/29/1986), a truck driver who lives on Pine Avenue, DeLand, was arrested Friday and remains in the Volusia County Branch Jail today on $150,000 bond.

The Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit began investigating the case in April after receiving a tip. During the investigation, detectives recovered image files depicting child pornography. Some of the images discovered during the investigation were photos Steele took of a 2-year-old child victim. Steele is not a stranger to the victim and had access to the child as a trusted adult.

Steele was charged with 10 counts of promoting the sexual performance of a child and one count of lewd or lascivious molestation.

While there are no indications of any additional victims, the Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate this case. To contact the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit about this case or any other case of child exploitation, please call 386-323-3574.