*WARNING: Graphic descriptions from affidavit in story*

LAKELAND, Fla. — A social services worker in Lakeland has been arrested for allegedly possessing and trading child pornography on several social media sites, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. 

  • Lakeland social worker charged with possession of child porn
  • Images were found on William Smith's Tumblr account
  • Smith told deputies he "fantasizes about touching a child"

Detectives arrested William Smith, 28, who is a case manager for Youth & Family Alternatives, Inc. in Lakeland, on December 21 at 110 Laurel Circle in Bartow.  

(Mug shot courtesy of Polk County Sheriff's Office)

The Polk County Sheriff's Office received a tip on December 21 after Tumblr provided 48 files—images and/or videos— to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and deemed the files as child pornography. 

According to the affidavit, the files depicted at least 15 children, both boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 12, engaging in sexual conduct with apparent adults. 

Several inappropriate images were uploaded on Smith's Tumblr account between October 8 and November 27 of this year. Tumblr deactived Smith's account on December 6. 

According to the affidavit, Smith engaged in inappropriate conversations with other users discussing his sexual interest in young children. 

Detectives made contact with Smith on December 21. During an interview he admitted to trading child pornography on various social media accounts, including Dopbox, Tumblr, Kik, and Snapchat, the affidavit stated.  He also said he "probably has child victims that are infants on his computer/cell phone."

Smith said he "fantasizes" about touching a child, but denied inappropriately touching a child. He also said he has been viewing child pornography for 3-5 years and knows that it is illegal. During the interview he told detectives that he needed help for his addiction to child pornography. 

"It was a total shock to his wife and a total shock to his family," Sheriff Grady Judd said. "They are embarrassed and disappointed as you can imagine."

Smith was transported to the Polk County jail and charged with 15 counts of possession of child pornography. 

Grady said the investigation is ongoing and that detectives are analyzing all of Smith's devices.