Cyber Crimes Unit detectives from the Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested 34-year-old Eddie Chirino of Lakeland, a Tenoroc High School teacher, and charged him with three counts directing/promoting sexual performance of by a child (F2) after PCSO received a report from the National Center for MIssing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that the Kik messenger app he was using was utilized to download and send videos depicting child pornography.

During the investigation in August 2025, detectives responded to the home where Chirino lives with his mother. The suspect was not at home at that time, but detectives interviewed his mother and discovered he was using her email address to use Kik messenger, and Instagram. They served a search warrant and found marijuana in his room.

When detectives interviewed Chirino, he admitted to using his mother's email address. He admitted that he had "viewed child pornography in the past." His usernames on various mobile apps are versions of the name "ChoBro." At that time he was arrested for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, and the investigation continued with a forensic analysis of his phones and electronic devices.

Detectives found that Chirino sent three videos to other users, one of which depicted a child as young as 6 to 9 years old being sexually battered by adult males. Another video depicted a child between 8 to 10 years old being sexually battered by an adult male. The third video depicts two children engaging in sexual conduct. Detectives also recovered chat logs between Chirino and other users with whom he was sharing the child pornography, as well as search history results commensurate with locating and downloading child pornography.

Detectives are attempting to determine the source of the child pornography. At this time, there is no evidence that indicates the files were made locally.

Chirino was taken into custody at his home on Friday, September 26, 2025, and booked into the Polk County Jail.

“Make no mistake, there is zero tolerance for anyone in this county, especially a school teacher, dealing in child pornography. We will do a complete and thorough investigation and continue to work with State Attorney Brian Haas to send him to prison where he can't be around children any longer.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

“PCPS is terminating this individual. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement, and appreciate their work to protect children and prevent people like this from doing further harm. This is abhorrent behavior; individuals like this have no place in our schools, or society.” - Fred Heid, Polk County Public Schools

Chirino's employment is being terminated, per Polk County Public Schools.