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Fort Pierce City Commissioner James Taylor, 38, was arrested on 24 felony charges related to an alleged inappropriate online relationship with a minor, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.

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The charges include six counts each of transmission of material harmful to a minor via electronic equipment, transfer or display of obscenity to a minor, and harmful communication to a minor. Taylor also faces four counts of lewd computer solicitation of a child, and two counts of solicitation for the transmission of child pornography. All charges are classified as felonies.

Authorities stated that the investigation began in August 2024 when police in Evanston, Illinois, received a report from the mother of a 13-year-old girl. The mother alleged that her daughter, who was just 12 when the communications began, had been contacted by an adult male via Snapchat. Over time, their conversations became sexually explicit, and the suspect allegedly sent multiple nude images to the child.

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Investigators in Illinois traced the communications back to Taylor in St. Lucie County. A parallel investigation was launched locally in May 2025, leading to Taylor’s arrest.

St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro confirmed that search warrants were executed at Taylor’s home and place of employment, where he worked as a local contractor. “We are conducting a complete forensic review of digital devices recovered from the suspect’s residence and office,” said Del Toro.

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At this time, there is no evidence indicating Taylor and the victim met in person. However, Del Toro emphasized the investigation is ongoing and more evidence is being reviewed. “There’s no doubt in my mind based on the images and the communications that were going on that he knew he was talking to a minor,” Del Toro stated. “He basically admitted he knew this girl was a much younger age, around 13 years of age.”

Sheriff’s officials also noted that investigators believe there may be additional victims, citing statements provided and the volume of evidence still being reviewed.

Taylor, who was elected to the Fort Pierce City Commission in 2024, previously served nearly a decade on the St. Lucie County Planning & Zoning Commission, including two terms as chair. According to his bio, he is also vice president and vice chair of the St. Lucie County Education Foundation and is married with deep ties to the local community.

State Representative Toby Overdorf (R-Palm City) called the allegations “beyond sickening” and urged Governor Ron DeSantis to immediately suspend Taylor. “This predator, who used Snapchat to prey on a 12-year-old girl with vile, sexually explicit content, must face the harshest consequences under the law,” Overdorf stated.

Fort Pierce City Commissioner Michael Broderick called the arrest “very unfortunate,” adding, “We need to wait for the process to play itself out to find out all of the facts.”

Taylor’s arrest marks the second major scandal to hit Fort Pierce leadership in under a year. It follows the 2024 arrest of then-City Manager Nick Mimms on charges related to bid rigging and official misconduct.

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