MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – A Marion County man was arrested Friday after investigators said he used social media platforms to target and exploit children online.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office announced that Aiden Lucas Page, 20, was taken into custody on Sept. 19 on charges of possession of child sexual abuse material, transmitting harmful material to minors and misuse of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
According to officials, the case began with the Umatilla Police Department, which received information about an individual engaging in inappropriate behavior with minors on Discord and X, formerly known as Twitter. The suspect was later identified as Page, who lives in Marion County. The investigation was then turned over to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Major Crimes Detectives Osthed and Paxton interviewed Page at his residence. Detectives said Page admitted to using social media platforms for inappropriate activity and allowed investigators to search his phone.
During the search, detectives said they found conversations between Page and people who had identified themselves as underage. One exchange involved a 13-year-old victim being sent explicit images, where another involved a 17-years-old victim with exchanges beginning when they were 11 years old, containing hundreds of images and videos.
Officials reported that some of conversations involved images and exchanges that were considered unlawful. Detectives also said Page admitted to sharing prohibited material with others online and acknowledged that his actions were a problem.
Page was arrested following the interview and transported to the Marion County Jail, where he is being held without bond.
Authorities said Page is also on active probation for a previous charge of child abuse without great bodily harm. In that case, adjudication was withheld.