Jalen Kitna is in deep, deep trouble. (Photo via Florida Gators)
Florida quarterback Jalen Kitna has been arrested and booked into the Alachua County Jail. The time of the booking was listed as 3:20pm, although sources indicate that the arrest was actually made this morning when police raided Kitna’s house.
Kitna is set to appear at Alachua County Courthouse tomorrow morning.
It seems as though Kitna is being charged in two separate cases, each comprised of second-degree felony charges relating to Florida statute 827.071(4). That statute reads:
“It is unlawful for any person to possess with the intent to promote any photograph, motion picture, exhibition, show, representation, or other presentation which, in whole or in part, includes child pornography. The possession of three or more copies of such photograph, motion picture, representation, or presentation is prima facie evidence of an intent to promote. A person who violates this subsection commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.”
You can read more about the specific Statute here.
The Gainesville Police Department released a statement with more information:
“On Wednesday, November 30, 2022, members of the Gainesville Police Department and the Internet Crimes Against
Children (ICAC) Division served a search warrant at 2308 SW 38th Drive #6. The investigation initiated when GPD received
a Cyber Tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The Cyber Tip indicated that a Discord
user distributed an image of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) through their platform.
Further investigation, by Gainesville Police Department Detective Montage, revealed that two images were shared, via
Discord, from the residence of 2308 SW 38th Drive #6. The investigation also revealed that the probable Discord account
holder was Jalen Kitna (W/M, 03-22-2003).
Detective Montague contacted Kitna at the residence and interviewed him. Kitna stated that he remembered sharing
the two images (CSAM) but believed them to be “legal”, since he found them online. Kitna advised that he realized he
should not have shared those two images, based on the reaction from the other Discord user that he shared them with.
Kitna advised shortly after that, his Discord account was deactivated and that he assumed someone reported him to
Discord. Kitna stated that he received an email from Discord stating that his account was deactivated due to violation of
the terms of service.
Kitna’s electronic devices were seized as part of the search warrant. Preliminary analysis of the devices revealed three
additional images of child sexual abuse material. The Gainesville Police Department arrested Kitna for two counts of
distribution of child exploitation material and three counts of possession of child pornography.
The Gainesville Police Department wants parents to be aware that children are solicited and exploited through social
networking applications. These social networking applications, like Discord, Facebook, KiK, Snapchat, TikTok and Tagged
are also used to share images and videos which depict young children being sexually abused. Please be vigilant and aware of any social networking platforms your children may access.”
Florida beat reporter Nick De La Torre tweeted out a statement from the University of Florida regarding the incident, which reads:
“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the news involving Jalen Kitna. These are extremely serious charges and the University of Florida and the UAA have zero tolerance for such behavior. Jalen has been suspended indefinitely from the football program.”
This is a developing story, so more information will be released when it becomes available.
