A Tampa man is behind bars after deputies say they recovered more than a hundred images of child pornography on his cell phone.
Stephen Christopher Gatto is currently in jail on a $750,000 bond.
On June 30, 2016, a court-authorized search warrant was executed on a Samsung Galaxy S3 cell phone, deputies said.
A complete forensic review of the cell phone revealed over 100 image files of child pornography, which depicted children approximately 6 to 16 years of age either posing or engaged in sexual activities, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Communications indicated Gatto is the owner of the micro SD 4GB card located inside the cell phone, investigators said.
Deputies executed a court-authorized search warrant at Gatto's Tampa home on July 6, 2016. Several electronic devices were seized and will be forensically reviewed for further evidence, deputies said.
Parents who live near Gatto were shocked and disturbed by the allegations against him.
"I was disturbed, angry," said Chontrice Robertson. "I started crying because I didn't know he was actually that close. It's already scary being in the trailer park but just knowing that he's right behind me, that's even scarier."
Her two-year-old son and young niece have often played near Gatto's home.
"That could be his window right there and my son plays outside," she said.
Gatto has been a security guard at Tampa General Hospital since 2008, where he passed a state and hospital background check, hospital officials said. Hospital officials said he will not be allowed to return to work.
Gatto was arrested and charged with 100 counts of Possession of Child Pornography. A judge has forbidden him to have any contact with children or computers.
Deputies are still working to determine if Gatto had any inappropriate contact with children.
More charges may be forthcoming, deputies said.
