FDLE Warrant Details Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges Against McDavid Man

August 23, 2026

Newly obtained court records outline the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation leading to the recent arrest of a McDavid man on multiple child sexual abuse material charges.

James Thomas McDuffie, 49, of Highway 97A in McDavid, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on an FDLE arrest warrant charging him with 20 second-degree felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, two third-degree felony counts of possession of computer-generated child sexual abuse material, and one third-degree felony count of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.

According to the arrest affidavit, the investigation began in September 2025 after the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Investigators said Yahoo! reported that an email account associated with McDuffie’s phone number had uploaded multiple files of illicit content.

According to court documents, detectives tracked the account’s login history to an IP address assigned to a residence in the 10000 block of Highway 97A in McDavid. Because the activity was determined to have occurred in Escambia County, the case was officially transferred to the FDLE in May 2026.

An FDLE special agent stated in the warrant that a forensic digital analysis of McDuffie’s seized smartphone uncovered approximately 55 files depicting sexual battery and exploitation of both boys and girls, with victims ranging in age from one year old to teenagers. In addition to the real imagery, the report notes investigators found two computer-generated or manipulated files. The affidavit also states investigators found email correspondence linked to the suspect account discussing the material with other users.

During an interview with law enforcement, McDuffie acknowledged viewing and receiving illicit files through email and links from an overseas image platform, according to the report. Investigators said McDuffie claimed people sent him the images after he posted online about his own past personal trauma. The affidavit notes that McDuffie denied ever harming or molesting any children.

McDuffie remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $230,000.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under TOP STORIES