FORT PIERCE – Fort Pierce City Commissioner James Taylor was arrested early Thursday morning on 24 felony charges related to child exploitation following a months-long multistate investigation into internet crimes against children
The 38-year-old commissioner, who is in his first term, allegedly engaged in sexually explicit communications with a 13-year-old girl via Snapchat, including sending nude images, with interactions beginning when the victim was 12.
The investigation originated in August 2024 when the Evanston Police Department in Illinois received a report from the victim’s mother about inappropriate Snapchat messages and images from an adult male. Authorities traced the activity to St. Lucie County, prompting the involvement of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit in May 2025.
Investigators identified Taylor as the suspect, leading to searches of his home and place of business. Sheriff Richard Del Toro confirmed during a press conference that Taylor admitted to his involvement and appeared remorseful, though primarily after being apprehended. Del Toro also indicated a belief that there may be additional victims, based on statements and the volume of evidence under review.
Taylor faces a total of 24 felony counts, broken down as follows:
- Six counts of transmission of materials harmful to minors by electronic equipment
- Six counts of transfer or display of obscenity to a minor
- Six counts of harmful communication to a minor
- Six counts of lewd computer solicitation
- Four counts of lewd computer solicitation of a child
- Two counts of solicitation of transmission of child pornography by electronic device or equipment
He is currently held at the St. Lucie County Jail with a bond set at $250,000 and is awaiting his first court appearance. There is no evidence that Taylor met the victim in person, but communications reportedly indicated he was aware of her minor status.
Taylor, a fifth-generation Fort Pierce resident and married father living in White City, was elected to the city commission in 2024 after defeating John Heaning. Prior to his election, he served nearly a decade on the St. Lucie County Planning & Zoning Commission, including as chair in 2021 and 2022, and holds positions on boards such as Vice President of the St. Lucie County Education Foundation.
In his commission role, Taylor has been a key vote in decisions like hiring City Manager Richard Chess and leading efforts to remove former Police Chief Diane Hobley-Burney.
Fellow Commissioner Michael Broderick described himself as “stunned, shocked, and outraged,” calling it a “tragic day for the city” and a “travesty” given Taylor’s prior contributions. Broderick urged Taylor to resign immediately, stating he had reached out through mutual contacts and would contact the governor’s office if necessary to seek Taylor’s removal.
He also called for an investigation into whether Taylor used city-issued devices for the communications and emphasized the need for better leadership, noting recent scandals, including the arrest of former City Manager Nick Mimms on bid tampering charges.
State Representative Toby Overdorf, a member of the Governor’s Task Force Against Human Trafficking, demanded Taylor’s immediate suspension by Governor Ron DeSantis and highlighted the risks of social media for children.
The City of Fort Pierce released a statement acknowledging the arrest and reaffirming its commitment to integrity and transparency, assuring residents that city operations would continue uninterrupted. If Taylor resigns or is removed, the city charter mandates a special election to fill the seat, as the next regular election is more than six months away.
The ICAC Unit’s investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with information or who may be a victim to contact the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office at 772-462-7300 or submit anonymous tips via Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS.
