Saint Leo University Educator Accused Of Viewing Child Porn

SAFETY HARBOR, FL — A 55-year-old educator at Saint Leo University in Pasco County has been charged with two counts of intentionally viewing child pornography.

Steven Kistulentz of Safety Harbor was arrested Tuesday following an investigation based on a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited children.

Pinellas County sheriff's detectives were told that child pornography was being uploaded through a social media messenger application called Kik.

During an interview, detectives said Kistulentz admitted that the Kik account was his and that he had been receiving and sending files of photos involving child pornography.

He was arrested on two counts of viewing child pornography, but detectives said he may face more charges based on a digital forensic analysis of his electronic devices. Detectives haven't identified any of the victims yet.

Kistulentz works at Saint Leo University as the director of the graduate program in creative writing and is an associate professor of English.

Anyone with additional information should contact Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Crimes Against Children Unit Detective J. Hanna at 727-582-6724 or [email protected].