Wednesday, November 13, 2024
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Largo

Largo Police Uncover Child Pornography in Fraud Probe, Arrest Suspect

35-year-old Andrew Furtado of Clearwater was arrested after a fraud investigation which led to child pornography charges 

On June 6, 2023, detectives from the Largo Police Detectives initiated a fraud investigation after speaking with the complainant from PureLife Medi-Spa, located at 12442 Indian Rocks Road.

Throughout the course of the investigation, detectives developed probable cause for five Felony charges for Furtado, a former employee of the spa. 

During his ten weeks of employment, it was discovered that Furtado inflated sales, which increased commissions, and was believed to have stolen thousands of dollars worth of spa treatments and equipment. After being terminated from his job, Furtado was also believed to have downloaded client lists and altered the spa’s data system. According to arrest information, Furtado changed the username and password, locking the business from the medical database. He also reportedly gained access to the software from an unauthorized computer in his residence.

On November 2, 2023, with the assistance of LPD SWAT and the LPD Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) Team, the LPD Investigative Services Division (ISD) served the search warrant on Furtado’s residence. During the execution of the search warrant, he reportedly admitted to detectives that he possessed a USB drive that was hidden in his bedroom and contained child pornography. The USB drive was seized and led to a subsequent investigation unrelated to the spa investigation. 

Furtado was taken into custody and transported to Pinellas County Jail without incident. 

Post search warrant approval, a forensic review of the digital evidence seized revealed numerous pornographic materials depicting minors. The male victims in the videos were as young as 4-5 years old.

Furtado is charged with the following:

  • Offenses against Intellectual Property 
  • Offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks, and  electronic devices 
  • Florida Communications Fraud Act 
  • Unlawful possession of the personal identification information of another person 
  • Unlawful use of a two-way communications device 
  • Possession of Child Pornography (10 counts) 

The investigation is still ongoing.

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