BSO: Photographer had child pornography, sex with teenage prostitute

Broward Sheriff's Office arrests Doug Eaton

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Broward Sheriff's Office on Thursday arrested a photographer accused of possessing child pornography and having sex with a 15-year-old prostitute.

Doug Eaton faces several charges, including possession of child pornography, procuring person under age of 18 for prostitution, and lewd or lascivious battery with a person older than 12 but less than 16.

According to an arrest warrant, on June 6, Eaton, 48, had a 15-year-old girl brought to his home after he contacted an escort service. He and the girl had sex and he paid her $180.

Eaton's attorney, Michael Gottlieb, said his client wasn't aware he hired a teenager for sex.

"It's alleged that he had procured some girls for prostitution through an agency. My understanding is those agencies always advertise that the girls are of age, of legal age, to be quote unquote escorts, so seemingly it would make sense that he had no notice that anybody was underage or that he was committing any illegal acts," said Gottlieb.

According to a separate arrest affidavit, deputies executed a search warrant at Eaton's home in Pompano Beach on Thursday. On his computer, deputies found seven images of child pornography.

Eaton told deputies he stumbled across the images while looking for pornography, police said. He admitted to saving images when he found them "attractive."

Eaton owns Doug's Photography in Fort Lauderdale. He does sports photography at school events in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, according to BSO and the Archdiocese of Miami.

Investigators said they don't believe the images found on Eaton's computer were of students he photographed.

Broward County Public Schools released a statement Friday, saying they are aware of the criminal charges against Eaton.

"Upon being notified of his arrest, the district immediately took action. Doug Eaton (Doug's Photography) is no longer permitted to be used as a vendor within the district," the statement read. "In accordance with state laws, while operating as an authorized vendor for the district, Eaton completed and passed all criminal background screenings. This included the required state background screening through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the national background screening through the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

The school district said Eaton was utilized as a photographer for a variety of events, including athletic games and competitions.

A judge ordered Eaton be held on $101,000 bond.