A former Lake Alfred commissioner Charles Lake has had an additional 2,896 enhanced felony charges of possessing child pornography filed against him, according to Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Lake is facing a total of 3,196 enhanced second-degree felony charges with these latest additions.
Lake resigned from the city office representing Seat 2 on Lake Alfred’s commission on April 23.
“Charles Lake is a public official with a dark, twisted involvement with the exploitative child pornography trade,” Sheriff Grady Judd said in a press statement. “In the past, he has done photography for the city and local schools, and has assisted people with their computers.”
A search of Lake’s home led deputies to find a silver external thumb drive labeled with “XXX” that deputies said contained 300 images and videos of pre-teenage children.
A PCSO forensic technician examined all these devices and recovered 2,896 additional video and image files depicting pornographic sexual images of children ranging in age from six months to 12 years old, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may be aware of or witnessed any inappropriate interactions, images, or involvement of Lake to contact them at 863-298-6200.
Lake currently remains in custody.