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Gainesville Man Sentenced to Life in Prison Following Child Exploitation Investigation

Gainesville Man Sentenced to Life in Prison Following Child Exploitation Investigation

72-year-old Gerald Morris was sentenced to life in prison after investigators uncovered nearly 60,000 files containing child sexual abuse material. Photo: Contributed/Courtesy Alachua County Sheriff's Office


GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – A 72-year-old Gainesville man has been sentenced to life in prison following an investigation into child sexual abuse material conducted by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the sheriff’s office, Internet Crimes Against Children Detective J. Dawson and members of the agency’s SWAT Team and Forensics Unit executed a search warrant in June 2025 at the home of Gerald Morris in the 2200 block of NW 113th Terrace in Gainesville. Investigators said the search warrant stemmed from a cyber tip involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

During the search, detectives seized multiple digital storage devices from the residence. A forensic review conducted by the sheriff’s office Digital Forensics Examiners later uncovered more than 59,000 illicit files involving children.

Authorities said Morris later turned himself in after a warrant was issued for multiple charges related to the possession and electronic transmission of child sexual abuse material. On May 28, 2026, Morris was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

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