Miami-Dade Schools Employee Faces 11 Felony Charges in Child Exploitation Case
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A Miami-Dade County Public Schools maintenance employee has been arrested and charged with 11 felony counts related to the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material, authorities confirmed Thursday.
Investigation Uncovers Disturbing Content
The suspect, 63-year-old Arthur Collot, was apprehended at his home on Roosevelt Street in Hollywood after investigators discovered dozens of explicit images of child abuse on his electronic devices.
According to the Hollywood Police Department (HPD), the case was first flagged in November 2024 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip that Collot was uploading illicit material. This led to a months-long investigation, culminating in a search warrant executed on Wednesday.
During the search, authorities found graphic content involving children as young as three years old, depicting extreme abuse. Police reports indicate that Collot initially denied any involvement, but later admitted to being “into child pornography” since the early 1990s and acknowledged using the dark web to access illegal content.
Employment Terminated by Miami-Dade Schools
The Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) did not disclose which school Collot was employed at, but swiftly moved to terminate his employment following his arrest.
In a statement, a district spokesperson expressed deep concern over the allegations:
“This district is committed to upholding all employees to the highest standard of integrity and respect, and this type of comportment will not be tolerated. As a result, his employment with the District will be terminated, and the individual has been precluded from seeking future employment with the District.”
Legal Proceedings & Restrictions
Collot is currently being held at the Broward Main Jail on an $82,500 bond. If released, he will be fitted with an ankle monitor and placed under strict restrictions, including:
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No contact with minors
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No access to electronic devices capable of connecting to the internet
Growing Concern Over Child Exploitation Cases
Law enforcement officials warn that online child exploitation cases have been on the rise, with Florida ranking among the top five states for reported incidents. The increasing use of the dark web and encrypted platforms has made it more difficult for authorities to track offenders, prompting stronger enforcement measures and legislation to combat the crisis.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information related to this case to contact Hollywood Police or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678).
This remains a developing story. Stay tuned for updates as the investigation progresses.
