HIGH POINT, N.C. — A High Point man is now facing federal child porn charges in an ongoing investigation.
On Friday, the FBI filed a criminal complaint against 43-year-old Joseph Santora for the offenses of distribution of child porn and possession of child porn.
According to an affidavit, investigators flagged the Instagram username "localdilf420" for "apparent child pornography" back in January. They identified the account holder as Santora and sent the tip to High Point police.
Then on April 26, High Point police got a warrant to search Santora's home on Gatehouse Road. As a result, police charged him with second-degree rape and first, second, and third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
Investigators seized Santora's devices and found several disturbing photos and videos that led to even more charges. Some of the videos included children as young as "approximately 8 to 10," according to the federal criminal complaint.
High Point police have charged Santora with more than 40 counts of child sex offenses, including:
- First-degree exploitation of a minor (12 counts)
- Second-degree exploitation of a minor (21 counts)
- Indecent liberties with a child (13 counts)
He's in Guilford County Jail without bond.
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