By-Line: Joseph Bober, Public Information Office, FCSO
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a registered sex offender for possession of child sexual abuse material following a lengthy investigation by the FCSO Cyber Crimes/ICAC Unit and the Northeast Florida Inter-Agency Child Exploitation and Persons Trafficking Task Force.
In May, detectives began an internet crime against children investigation into Gary Durso, 57, of Palm Coast, who is a registered sex offender, following a tip made to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline concerning an online account linked to Durso. During the investigation, a review of files tied to Durso’s account revealed numerous pornographic images, including confirmed child sexual abuse material identified by NCMEC’s Child Victim Identification Program.
On Sept. 16, Cyber Crimes Unit detectives and members of the NEFL INTERCEPT Task Force served a search warrant at Durso’s residence. There, with assistance from the FCSO Digital Forensics Unit’s electronic storage detection dog, K-9 Birdie, detectives located numerous electronics — including laptops, cellphones, and flash drives — containing suspected child sexual abuse material.
Following the search, detectives arrested Durso for possession of child pornography. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held on a $15,000 bond. Additional charges are pending forensic analysis by FCSO’s Digital Forensics Unit.
Left: Deputies arrest Gary Durso, center, at his residence in Palm Coast on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025.
Right: Gary Durso (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mugshot)
“Although these perverts probably won’t listen, my message is clear: If you are a pervert exploiting children, we will find you and arrest you,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “This pervert has a history of targeting children, but thanks to our partnership with NCMEC and the INTERCEPT Task Force, along with Florida’s strong laws protecting our children, he should be spending many years in prison.”
Durso has been a registered sex offender since 2013 when he was convicted in Osceola County for traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sexual offense. Because he is a repeat offender, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of prison under Florida law.
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