A Belleview man is facing 20 felony charges after a Marion County Sheriff’s Office investigation into alleged possession of child sexual abuse material stemming from a cyber tip received earlier this year.
According to the arrest affidavit, Gary James Sozio, 61, of Belleview, was arrested June 26 after detectives executed a search warrant at his residence on East Highway 25. The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a report from Microsoft’s Online Operations regarding activity linked to an internet account in April.
Investigators subpoenaed subscriber information from Charter Communications, which allegedly identified Sozio as the account holder. The affidavit states detectives also discovered Sozio had been the subject of a previous cyber tip investigated in 2023 that resulted in a search warrant being executed at his residence.
During the June 26 search, detectives reported locating electronic devices containing what they allege to be child sexual abuse material. Authorities said Sozio acknowledged being the sole user of the devices found in the home but did not admit to the alleged offenses.
The affidavit states investigators initially charged Sozio with 20 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, while noting the investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue examining additional electronic evidence.
Jail records show Sozio was booked into the Marion County Jail without bond pending his first court appearance. As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
