Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced charges against Joseph Watson, a Pasco County elementary school teacher and church leader, for possession and promotion of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). According to authorities, Watson admitted to receiving images and videos through the Telegram messaging app from an acquaintance and subsequently sending them to another individual on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Mr. Watson is a soon-to-be former elementary school teacher in Pasco County, a leader in a local church choir, and was involved in the church’s summer youth program,” stated Attorney General James Uthmeier. “It’s hard to find a more depraved example of someone who betrayed the local community’s trust than Mr. Watson. My prosecutors will bring down the full weight of the law on this predator.”
The investigation into Watson began after a cybertip from X reported by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led to joint efforts by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. FDLE agents interviewed Watson at his workplace where he confessed to viewing and distributing CSAM.
Watson faces two counts each of possession of child pornography, transmitting child pornography by electronic device, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device—all felony charges.
Special Counsel Rita Peters is assigned to prosecute this case.
