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Registered sex offender accused of transmitting child porn while on cruise that docked in Tampa

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Published  January 17, 2025 10:51am EST
Tampa
FOX 13 News

The Brief

    • A registered sex offender has been indicted for possessing and transmitting child sexual abuse material, some of which was generated using artificial intelligence.
    • Court documents show that James Oxley, 52, of Polk City, transmitted some of the images while on a cruise ship that docked in Tampa.
    • Oxley was convicted in 2012 of three counts of possessing images showing sexual performance by a child.

TAMPA, Fla. - A registered sex offender from Polk City has been indicted for possessing and transmitting child sexual abuse material, some of which was created with artificial intelligence, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

Polk City man indicted for child porn

What we know:

Court documents show that James Oxley, 52, sent child sex abuse materials between Dec. 17 and Dec. 22, 2024, when he entered Tampa’s seaport on board a cruise ship. The ship had traveled to two destinations in Mexico before returning to Tampa. 

Agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection searched Oxley’s cellphone, which he had traveled with, and said they saw images and videos of child exploitation on it.

Beginning on an unknown date and continuing to December 22, 2024, officials say Oxley possessed images and videos of minors, including children under the age of 12, engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

James Oxley mugshot. Courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

James Oxley mugshot. Courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. 

He also possessed AI-generated images that appeared to depict minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Who is James Oxley

The backstory:

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Oxley is a registered sex offender from Polk City. 

He was convicted in 2012 of possessing images showing sexual activity by a child. 

What's next:

If convicted, Oxley faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison for transporting child sex abuse material and up to 20 years in federal prison for the possession and AI offenses. 

The indictment also notified Oxley that the United States intends to forfeit a cellphone which was used in the commission of the offense.

The Source: This story was written with information provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office. 

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