Sarasota: John Michael Pyle enters a plea to 30 counts of Possession of Child Pornography

In April of 2016, law enforcement received three different cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding child sexual abuse material, also referred to as child pornography, that traced back to a home in the City of Sarasota. A search warrant was executed on the Defendant’s home in June of 2016, resulting in the discovery of over 200 images of child pornography on the Defendant’s devices in the home.

Several images depicted adult men having sex with female children as young as seven years old.

After his arrest, the Defendant failed to appear at a mandatory court date on October 23, 2017 when his trial was supposed to be set. A warrant was issued for his arrest. In May of 2022, the Defendant was located in Mexico and apprehended. He has awaiting trial in the Sarasota County jail since that time.

The Defendant’s lowest permissible prison sentence, as determined by the Legislature in assigning severity levels to these crimes, is approximately 33.35 years in prison. The Court will have the discretion to sentence the Defendant to a lower sentence if there is a legal basis to do so and if the Court feels it is appropriate. The Defendant faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. He will be designated a sex offender as required by Florida law regardless of what the rest of his sentence turns out to be.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney S. Ethan Dunn, said: “Child pornography is an insidious crime that is difficult to detect and prosecute in the digital age. Research shows that those who possess and view this material often have already committed physical offenses against children that have simply not been uncovered. The diligence of Sarasota Police Department detectives and the members of the fugitive task force in this case cannot be overstated, and their tremendous efforts brought this Defendant to justice. Those that consume this material should know that they are perpetuating demand for these images which leads to the continued sexual abuse of children, and for that they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent the law allows. They can run, and they can hide, but law enforcement will find them, and they will be brought to justice.”

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney S. Ethan Dunn in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.