Florida authorities arrested a 72-year-old man, Paul Zittel, after finding 220,000 child porn images in his house

Florida authorities arrested a 72-year-old man after finding 220,000 child porn images in his house.

A tip led to the arrest of a central Florida man who the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said had more than 200,000 printed images of child pornography stuffed in boxes in his bedroom.

In January, sheriff’s Detective Chase King received information that multiple files depicting child sexual abuse material had been uploaded to the internet from a residence in Ocala. His investigation found the files were uploaded from an IP address assigned to 72-year-old Paul Zittel.

During the search, detectives located countless printed photographs of pornography, many of which depicted child pornography. The prints had been arranged into large stacks and boxes throughout Zittel’s bedroom and office, and a printer on his desk displayed obvious signs of heavy use.

Area residents told investigators that Zittel would not allow others into his bedroom or office without personally escorting them.  

The printed materials, a computer, and a digital storage device were seized and removed from the home.

Detectives estimated there to be more than 220,000 printed images in Zittel’s possession, which together weighed approximately 2,600 pounds.

Paul Zittel of Ocala, Florida, faces 25 counts of possession of child pornography for the haul, stacked in crusty old boxes throughout his office and bedroom, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities arrested Zittel on Feb. 23 and brought him to the Marion County Jail, where he remains on $250,000 bond, the Sheriff’s Office said.Paul Zittel of Ocala, Florida, faces 25 counts of possession of child pornography for the haul, stacked in crusty old boxes throughout his office and bedroom, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities arrested Zittel on Feb. 23 and brought him to the Marion County Jail, where he remains on $250,000 bond, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Investigators tracked Zittel down after Sheriff’s Office Det. Chase King got information in January that several files showing child sexual abuse had been uploaded to the internet.

Police said they tracked the uploads to Zittel’s IP address, then got a warrant for his home.

During the raid, other residents allegedly told cops Zittel wouldn’t allow anyone in his bedroom or office without personally escorting them. That’s where police said they found his twisted horde.