Ponte Vedra Man faces child porn charges

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A man was arrested in St. Johns County on 20 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of possession of marijuana.

Deputies said the initial investigation into 29-year-old Joseph Richardson spanned over several months as undercover detectives conducted an online investigation into the sharing of child pornography.

"We're hoping to pursue these individuals wherever they may prey on our young children, even if it's simply transmitting in this child porn," Cmdr. Chuck Mulligan said.

Richardson was arrested Tuesday after investigators served a search warrant at his Ponte Vedra apartment. He remains in the St. Johns County Detention Facility with bonds totaling $200,500. Deputies said additional charges are pending based on the ongoing and extensive investigation.

During the undercover operation using surveillance and other investigative techniques, similarities were found in additional suspicious incidents that occurred in the northeast Florida area, investigators said.

Richardson is known to drive a silver 2004 Toyota 4Runner (similar to the one pictured). Officials are requesting that anyone with information about Richardson or the case contact Detective Shannon Andrews at 904-209-3998 or Crime Stoppers 888-377-8477.

"We're simply looking to ensure that there's nothing outstanding that we haven't uncovered at this point in time," Mulligan said.