Detectives Arrest Seminole Man for Possession of Child Pornography and Sexual Activity Involving Animals (26-051)
SEMINOLE – Detectives assigned to the Cyber Investigations Unit have arrested a Seminole man for Possession of Child Pornography and Sexual Activity Involving Animals.
On May 12, 2026, detectives began their investigation after receiving a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a person was communicating on the app “Kik” and disclosing he was sexually abusing his 7-year-old son. Through various investigative techniques, detectives identified the suspect as 51-year-old John David Ballard.
According to detectives, after being notified of the communications on the app, they conducted a search warrant on Ballard’s cell phone. Dozens of child pornography videos of children between the ages of infancy and eleven years old and five videos depicting sexual acts between people and animals were discovered.
As the investigation progressed, detectives learned that Ballard and his husband, Bradley Borsuk were foster and adoptive parents with the State of Florida, fostering 23 boys between 2017 and 2023 and adopting five boys between 2015 and 2023.
Detectives also learned that Ballard and Borsuk co-wrote a book called “Our Journey” which is described as an adoption journal that helps parents document emotional and meaningful milestones of building their families.
On June 17, 2026, detectives arrested Ballard and charged him with 20 counts of Possession of Child Pornography and five counts of Sexual Activity Involving Animals. Ballard was transported to the Pinellas County Jail. There is no evidence to charge Ballard with any additional crimes at this time.
In a press conference today, Sheriff Gualtieri said “this is really a very difficult case because it involves the betrayal of the trust that the child welfare system puts into people who volunteer to help the most vulnerable among us; and those are children who have been abused, abandoned, and neglected.”
The investigation continues.
View the full press conference here: https://youtu.be/oMv2gVmQ4iM
Additional Information:
John David Ballard (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 10/07/1974
Charges: Twenty counts of Possession of Child Pornography and five counts of
Sexual Activity Involving Animals.
