NEWS RELEASE

Yesterday, detectives with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at JRB Computers located at 934 11th Place in Vero Beach. Charles Ballash III (37) of Vero Beach, was arrested on ten counts of possession of child pornography as a result of the search.

Ballash admitted to being the owner-operator of the business, as well as using the peer-to-peer software that downloaded the child pornography.

Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar stated, “We are so proud of the work Detective Shepherd, Detective Scott, and our investigative unit does in cases like this. Today’s criminals are running high-tech, sophisticated operations, but we have a group of high speed men and woman who are coming after them.”

While Ballash was running a computer repair store, at this time detectives have no evidence to believe any customer computer was used for illegal activity. Computers belonging to Ballash were identified as being the source of the downloaded child pornography and were seized from the business.

Yesterday’s operation concluded a long term investigation into Ballash’s operation. Forensic analysis of the seized computers continued well into the night and further charges are expected once this analysis is complete.

Detective Shepherd stated, “The pornography we have encountered so far includes children believed to be as young as eight years old. The items we immediately identified as child pornography were in the same computer folder as videos of Ballash engaged in sexual acts with his wife.”

Ballash will be held until first appearance at 8:00 A.M., where a judge will make a bond determination.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.