FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A Fort Pierce city commissioner faces multiple charges in connection with a multi-state child exploitation investigation.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office said they executed search warrants early Thursday morning at two locations in Fort Pierce as part of an ongoing investigation into internet crimes against children.
WATCH BELOW: St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office announces arrest of Fort Pierce city commissioner
As a result of their investigation, James Taylor, 38, of Fort Pierce, was charged with 24 felony counts, including the following charges:
- 6 counts of transmission of materials harmful to minors by electronic equipment
- 6 counts of transfer or display of obscenity to a minor
- 6 counts of harmful communication to a minor
- 4 counts of lewd computer solicitation of a child
- 2 counts of solicitation of transmission of child pornography by electronic device or equipment
Taylor, who was elected in 2024, was arrested after a Thursday morning traffic stop. He is currently in custody at the St. Lucie County jail. His bond was set at $250,000.
The sheriff's office said the investigation began in August 2024 when Evanston, Illinois, police received a report from the mother of a 13-year-old girl. The mother said her daughter, who was 12 years old when the communications began, had been contacted by a man via Snapchat.
According to an arrest report, Taylor and the girl were involved in multiple conversations on Snapchat from June 25, 2024, to Aug. 9, 2024. Taylor was not elected city commissioner until Nov. 5, 2024.
Fort Pierce
‘TRAGIC DAY': Officials, business owners react to arrest of city commissioner
COMMISSIONER ACCUSED OF SENDING NUDE IMAGES TO CHILD
"Over time, the conversations became sexually explicit, and the suspect allegedly sent multiple nude images to the minor," according to the sheriff's office.
Following a preliminary investigation, Illinois police detectives traced the suspect's online activity to St. Lucie County.
On or about May 8, St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office detectives were contacted by police in Illinois and also began to investigate the case.
"Upon receiving the case details and digital evidence, St. Lucie County investigators began an in-depth follow-up investigation to corroborate the findings, confirmed the suspect's identity, and secure sufficient evidence under Florida law to pursue criminal charges," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
TAYLOR WAS "VERY REMORSEFUL" AFTER ARREST, SHERIFF SAYS
During an afternoon news conference, St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro said a forensic review linked Taylor's IP address to his home, confirming communication with the child.
The sheriff said once they explained the charges to Taylor, he "admitted his role" and was "very remorseful."
The city commissioner is scheduled to have his initial court appearance Friday morning.
Taylor's bio on the Fort Pierce website said he is married and a fifth-generation resident of Fort Pierce who has "dedicated his life to serving the community he loves."
Del Toro stated that this is an ongoing investigation, and they are conducting a forensic review of digital devices recovered from Taylor's residence and also from an office where he was employed by a local contractor.
The sheriff said there was no evidence at this time that the girl and Taylor ever met in person.
Also, currently, there is no indication that any of the alleged communication between the girl and Taylor happened at Fort Pierce City Hall, according to Del Toro.
The charges that Taylor faces are all third-degree felonies, which carry up to five years in prison for each count.
Before he was elected commissioner, Taylor served for nearly a decade on the St. Lucie County Planning and Zoning Commission, serving as chair in 2021 and 2022. His online bio says he is active in various community organizations.
If you believe you or someone you know may be a victim in this case, St. Lucie County investigators urge you to come forward as soon as possible.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (772) 462-7300 or submit an anonymous tip through the Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS.
The city of Fort Pierce released the following statement regarding the arrest:
The City of Fort Pierce is aware of the recent arrest of Commissioner James Taylor. We understand that this development may raise concerns within our community, and we want to reassure our residents that we remain committed to serving the public with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
While this matter is serious, it is important to recognize that the City Commission operates as a unified governing body. City functions will continue without disruption. Our dedicated staff remains focused on delivering essential services, maintaining public trust, and upholding the mission and values that guide the City of Fort Pierce.
As this is an active investigation, and in the interest of respecting due process, the City will not be issuing further comment at this time. Any inquiries or questions regarding the investigation should be directed to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office. We thank our community for its continued understanding, support, and patience.
State Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Stuart, called Taylor a "monster" and urged the governor to immediately suspend him due to the "beyond sickening" allegations.
Overdorf, a member of the Governor's Task Force Against Human Trafficking, released the following statement:
"The arrest of Fort Pierce City Commissioner James Taylor for 24 felony counts of child exploitation is beyond sickening—a disgusting betrayal that chills the soul," Overdorf said. "This predator, who used Snapchat to prey on a 12-year-old girl with vile, sexually explicit content, must face the harshest consequences under the law. Governor DeSantis must suspend this monster immediately. This is exactly why Florida has taken a fierce stand against the dangers of social media for our children—platforms like Snapchat can be hunting grounds for predators. We are in awe of the brave young victim and her family who exposed this evil. We hear you, we stand with you, and we will never stop fighting to protect Florida's kids from these despicable acts. There is no room in our state for this filth—justice must be swift and unrelenting! I am grateful to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois authorities for their relentless pursuit of this predator."
St. Lucie County Commissioner Cathy Townsend said she was "deeply saddened" by the arrest and said that Taylor and his wife are expecting their first child.
Townsend said she had always known him as a "kind, honest, Christian young man" and was praying that he "gets the help he needs."
Read her full statement on the arrest below:
"I am deeply saddened by the recent arrest of Commissioner James Taylor. I have known James and his family for many years and was especially close to his grandfather, Blinky Taylor, a man I respected greatly. James comes from a family that has long been committed to serving this community.
His wife, who just recently found out they are expecting their first child, has given so much of herself through her work with nonprofits supporting children with disabilities. Together, they faithfully hosted the Night to Shine event for many years, uplifting some of the most vulnerable among us.
James served on our Planning and Zoning Board as my appointee prior to his election. Throughout that time, I knew him as a kind, honest, Christian young man. Today, I am truly at a loss for words. My heart is with his wife and his entire family during this painful time. I also pray that James gets the help he needs while serving his time because it is clear he is battling serious inner struggles.
This situation will undoubtedly have a significant impact on our community. I have full faith that our Sheriff and State Attorney will continue to handle this case with the thoroughness and fairness they bring to every investigation. James, like anyone, will be held accountable under the law.
As we all begin to process this heartbreaking news, I ask that we keep in our prayers the young woman involved, her family, and every person affected by these events. Let this also be a sobering reminder: no one is above the law not even an elected official.
Now more than ever, we must lean into faith, seek truth, and support one another as a community."
Fort Pierce City Commissioner Michael Broderick said he is "dumbfounded" by Taylor's arrest.
"It's a tragic day for the families that are involved, it's a tragic day for the city of Fort Pierce," Broderick said. "We have to keep in mind the victim. ... That's the most important thing at this point, but it's just another black eye for the city of Fort Pierce."
He said the city "needs to do better" and "we are going to do better."
Broderick is calling for Taylor to resign immediately, and if he doesn’t, he will call on the governor to unseat him.
If either of those two things happens, and the seat is left vacant, there will need to be a special election to fill that seat.
