Christian Peterson
reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Two Branford men were arrested recently for possession of child sex abuse material, according to a press release from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). “The arrests are the result of FDLE’s statewide initiative to locate and arrest criminals targeting children and sharing files depicting the sexual abuse of children,” the release states. The two men arrested were 20-year-old Dakota James Allen and 33-year-old Chad Marcel Ducas. The investigations into the two men began in 2024 after FDLE received CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Endangered Children. The tip led the agency to two different online accounts, which were “uploading multiple files depicting the sexual abuse of children. Through investigative and legal processes, Allen and Ducas were identified as the account holders that were reported in the CyberTips.” Allen was arrested at his residence on Wednesday, April 9. He was charged with 19 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, one count of transmitting child sexual abuse material and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Allen was booked into the Suwannee County Jail and is being prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, Third Judicial Circuit. The Gainesville Police Department will be assisting in the investigation. Ducas was arrested at his residence on Tuesday, April 15. He was charged with 24 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and two counts of unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Ducas was booked into the Gilchrist County Jail and is being prosecuted by Attorney General James Uthmeiers's Office of Statewide Prosecution. The Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office is helping with the investigation. Both Allen and Ducas’s investigations are ongoing. Visit secureflorida.org/Family-Safety/BPParents.htm for tips on keeping children safe. Those who would like to submit a tip can do so at report.cybertip.org
