LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — A Polk County man arrested for allegedly possessing and distributing child pornography is also accused of another dirty hobby.
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, investigators learned Jose Araza, 58, purchased and ate soiled underwear.
“[Araza] was buying these things and ingesting them, did you hear me?” Judd said. “He was munching on them. This guy has a problem.”
Judd revealed the stomach-churning allegations during a press conference for “Operation Guardians of Innocence V,” which led to the arrest of 16 other men now facing a total of more than 1,400 felony charges.
“There’s a market out there,” said Judd. “You know what kinds of things get into soiled underwear, right?”
“Sometimes you think you’re passing gas and you’re not. You can’t trust a fart when you’re over 60. But this guy will buy it.”
Judd says Araza was fired as an IT specialist for Lockheed Martin. The 58-year-old holds a masters degree from Florida International University, Judd added.
“People who look at and lust after child pornography are dangerous people and they may be living next door to you.”
Also arrested in the Polk County child pornography operation were a former pair of Disney employees, a local nurse and a local pharmacist.
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