MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested an Ocklawaha man Wednesday on multiple charges related to alleged online sexual activity involving a child.
According to the sheriff’s office, 43-year-old Christopher John Michael Brown was arrested Wednesday, May 20, 2026, by the Fugitive Apprehension Unit on a warrant charging him with two counts of using a computer to solicit a child for sexual activity and two counts of viewing child pornography.
Brown also faces changes of lewd or lascivious exhibition using a computer, transmission of harmful material to a minor, interfering with child custody, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, harmful communication to a minor and tampering with evidence.
Investigators said the case began May 15 after a father discovered concerning messages from Brown on a juvenile victim’s cellphone. According to deputies, the messages allegedly included explicit sexual conversations, requests for nude photos and instructions advising the child to speak in code and destroy the cellphone before her parents found it. Detectives also learned the juvenile had reportedly run away from home in late April after Brown texted that he was there to pick her up.
On May 18, Major Crime Detective Zachary Elliot conducted a review of the cellphone and determined evidence had allegedly been tampered with. Investigators said Brown owned the phone and had remotely blocked applications in an attempt to prevent detectives from viewing conversations.
A forensic search warrant later uncovered alleged plans for sexual activity, files containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) involving the victim and nude photos and videos Brown allegedly sent to the child.
Brown was arrested during a traffic stop near NE Baseline Road and NE 24th Street and transported to the Marion County Jail, where he remains without bond.
Detectives believe Brown may have additional victims and are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Elliot at 352-368-3847.