MIAMI, FL - On Wednesday, November 6th, authorities with the Miami Police Department (MPD) announced that David Eugene Scott, the deputy city manager of the City of North Miami Beach, if facing several charges related to the possession of child sexual abuse videos.
According to CBS News, Scott, who is 63-years-old, was arrested on 15 counts of sexual performance by a child/possession. Images of boys ages 2-10 were found on his cellphone. City spokesman Evan Ross said that City Manager Mario Diaz terminated Scott's employment "after receiving and reviewing the arrest report from Miami PD."
Ross said, "Although the city has not been asked to provide any assistance or information, we will fully cooperate with and expedite any requests made of North Miami Beach."
Scott was named to the position last year after serving as director of public works for the city. He also served in executive roles including economic development/strategy for the City of Boynton Beach, assistant city manager of the City of Delray Beach, assistant county administrator for Pinellas County, commissioner of public works for Atlanta, and deputy mayor for operations and director of Public Works for Baltimore.
Last year, on LinkedIn, North Miami Beach posted regarding Scott's new role, saying, "David is a visionary leader with over three decades of public sector experience and a demonstrated record of successful innovative strategy implementation and organized process improvement, overseeing a diverse portfolio of municipal operations with 7,000 employees and $800 million budgets."
Scott was arrested by the Special Victims Unit, through its Crimes Against Children detail. After an investigation, Miami detectives had identified Scott as a suspect who had uploaded 31 images and videos of child sexual abuse material and attempted to purchase an additional 6,000 videos and pictures of children online via various social media platforms.
ICAC detectives, with the support of Homeland Security Investigations and local police departments from Miami Beach, Aventura, and Miami Gardens along with the State Attorney's Office Cyber Crimes Unit, executed a search warrant for Scott's residence in Miami.
During that search, multiple electronic devices were seized, including his cellphone. Several files containing vides were found on his phone. Scott was detained, questioned and interviewed by detectives, arrested, and then taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Police Chief Manuel A. Morales said, "Our Special Victims Internet Crimes Against Children Unit conducted an investigation that has led to the arrest of an individual who happens to sit at the highest level of a local municipal government."
He added, "This is highly disappointing, especially given their role of trust and the fact that the victims are children; one of our most vulnerable populations. We are proud of our partnership with the State Attorney's Office Cybercrimes Unit in solving this case."
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement, "I am shocked and disappointed to learn that a senior governmental official would be charged with the possession of child pornography. As state attorney, I know that our law enforcement community and my prosecutors are committed to ensuring that no child suffers the denigration, exploitation, and abuse at the core of every child pornography arrest. Child pornography is always a crime centered on exploiting the innocence of our children."
CBS News later reported that a judge granted bond to Scott. During a hearing on Thursday, November 7th, Scott's bond was set at $18,000. The judge also ordered that he is not allowed to use the internet, except for business or to meet with his attorney. He was also ordered to have no contact with minors.
If he posts bail, Scott will be under house arrest and have to wear a GPS ankle monitor. If he wants to leave the state for any reason, he will need the state's permission to do so. Scott was with the city of Miami for two and a half years with a salary of $200,000 per year.
