PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – It was a cyber tip from Google that alerted them to Alberto Blanco, 42, on Wednesday in connection to a child porn case, Pembroke Pines police said.
Authorities believe Blanco was collecting child pornography.
On Thursday, Blanco appeared in court , where prosecutors laid out their bail request for $30,000. Blanco has been arrested on one count of possessing obscene material and one count of obscene communication.
Police said that Blanco got nervous when officers showed up at his apartment Wednesday in Southwest Ninth Court and admitted he'd done something wrong.
“He's not guilty,” Blanco’s sister said. “He has a mental retardation.”
Blanco's sister, mother and father were in court and said that Blanco was diagnosed with his disability when he was 1 year old.
Blanco's attorney said his client cannot read or write, and he gets a disability check. The attorney suggested the disability may be connected to the criminal charges.
He asked the court to lower the bond amount.
Detectives said Blanco used a Google Plus account to chat with children.
Local 10 News learned that he had a Facebook page, which was used to chat with children as well.
If Blanco posts his bond, he will not be allowed access to the internet or electronic devices and will have to wear a monitoring bracelet. He'll also not be allowed near children as a condition of that bail.