MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) major crime unit has arrested an Ocala man on 56 felony charges of sexual exploitation of teenage girls.

The sheriff’s office says 21-year-old Morani Davon Daron Hopkins engaged in sexual acts with girls aged 15 and 16.

MCSO says the grandmother of one of the victims filed a report with authorities on Feb. 15. According to the arrest report, the grandmother discovered her granddaughter was having disturbing conversations on her phone.

The grandmother provided the child’s devices to authorities who say they found the 15-year-old engaging in sexual acts with Hopkins, who directed the victim to send him sexually explicit videos and photos.

MCSO detectives located Hopkins, four months later on June 14, and say he admitted to engaging in the sexual acts and requesting the videos.

They say Hopkins would provide the victim with marijuana and nicotine vapes.

Hopkins was arrested and charged with:

  • lewd or lascivious battery
  • six counts of directing the sexual performance by a child
  • six counts of possession of child pornography
  • contributing to the delinquency of a minor

Detectives obtained a warrant to search Hopkins’ phone.

MCSO says a senior digital forensics’ technician found a significant amount of evidence, demonstrating a pattern of Hopkins’ seeking out vulnerable children, giving them narcotics and producing child sexual abuse material with them. Through that, deputies identified three more victims.

Two months later, on August 15, MCSO charged Hopkins with:

  • two counts of human trafficking
  • 11 counts of directing the sexual performance by a child
  • 21 counts of possession of child pornography
  • two counts of probation violation
  • violation of pre-trial release conditions

Hopkins is being held without bond.

The sheriff’s office says there are additional victims – children in the videos who haven’t yet been identified.

If you or someone you know may have had contact with Hopkins, you’re urged to call Crime Stoppers of Marion County at (352) 368-7867.