Former town fire chief and volunteer Santa Claus arrested on child porn charges
07/17/2023 12:13 pm PDT
LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. (TCD) -- A former town official and fire chief was arrested last week for allegedly possessing child pornography.
According to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, in April, detectives began investigating a computer user who downloaded over 210 of videos and photos that depicted child pornography. Detectives eventually identified James Jade Silverstone as their suspect.
Silverstone previously worked as the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea town commissioner as well as the former fire chief. He also served as a volunteer Santa Claus.
Officials executed a search warrant at Silverstone’s home in May and seized several electronics. Upon looking through the devices, detectives "located hundreds of additional videos and photos of child pornography with some involving children as young as infants engaged in sexual acts."
Silverstone turned himself in to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office Thursday, July 13, where he was charged with 10 counts of transmission of child pornography by electronic device.
WPLG-TV reports Silverstone bonded out of jail Friday, July 14. He will be required to wear an ankle monitor.
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