Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
The University of Florida quarterback is in custody after authorities said he shared child pornography images via a social platform.
Jalen Kitna, 19, was arrested Wednesday when the Gainesville Police Department and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) division executed a warrantpolice said in a press release shared on Facebook.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children notified police “that a Discord user distributed an image of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) through their platform,” according to the statement. “Further investigation, led by Detective Montague of the Gainesville Police Department, revealed that two images were shared, via Discord.”
The authorities’ investigation led them to a local address and “revealed that the probable holder of the Discord account was Jalen Kitna”.
Detective Donna Montague then contacted Kitna and spoke to her.
“Kitna said he remembered sharing the two images (CSAM) but believed they were ‘legal,’ since he found them online,” GPD said. “Kitna reported that he realized he shouldn’t have shared these two images, based on the reaction of the other Discord user he shared them with.”
According to the GPD, Kitna said his Discord account was later taken down, leading him to believe he had been reported. He was later informed via an email from Discord “that his account had been deactivated due to a violation of the terms of service,” police said.
While carrying out the search warrant, authorities said they took Kitna’s electronic devices and found three other images related to child sexual abuse during a “preliminary analysis”.
He was taken into custody on two counts of distributing child exploitation material and three counts of possession of child pornography.
“The Gainesville Police Department wants parents to know that children are being solicited and exploited through social media applications,” the officers said in the statement. “These social media apps, such as Discord, Facebook, KiK, Snapchat, TikTok and Tagged are also used to share images and videos showing young children who are victims of sexual abuse. Be vigilant and aware of the social media platforms to which your children can access.”
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Those with questions or concerns are encouraged to call or email Detective Montague at (352) 393-7730 or [email protected]. GDP also offered resources to parents and guardians through the NCMEC website.
The GDP did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
According to the Florida Gators website, Kitna is a freshman in red shirt who went to Burleson High School in Texas. He has played four games this season but didn’t play any last season.
PEOPLE contacted the University of Florida Athletic Association, but did not immediately respond.
The association said in a statement released by Gainesville Affiliate WCJB to ABC: “We are shocked and saddened to hear 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 from the football program indefinitely.”
It’s unclear if Kitna has an attorney who can comment on her behalf.
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