Registered sex offender accused of producing child pornography in Lake County home

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Investigators say a registered sex offender had children’s beds and video games in his home where he was making child pornography.

60-year-old Perry Gentry was convicted of lewd and lascivious assault of a child in Volusia County in 1992.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

READ: “With both middle fingers up”: Elementary school principal arrested after neighborhood dispute

Investigators say Gentry had inappropriate contact with children on multiple occasions in recent years, including having young boys stay at his home.

According to court documents, Gentry failed to disclose a Facebook page he was using, as is required, when he registered as a sex offender with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in April.

During Gentry’s arrest, investigators also searched the cell phone he was using and found a video file showing pornographic images of a young boy that appeared to have been captured by a home security camera placed in the bedroom of a home.

During a search of Gentry’s home, investigators confirmed the video they found on his phone was made in a room in the home. They say they actually found two bedrooms that appeared to be set up specifically for children.

READ: 13-year-old arrested for threatening to shoot up school, deputes say

“One bedroom contained one bed and clothing consistent for children and gaming consoles,” Perry’s federal complaint states.

It goes on to describe a second bedroom with two small beds and a closet full of toys.

According to the complaint, Perry was reported to be in contact with young boys on multiple occasions in recent years.

In 2019, investigators say he showed up at Sorrento Elementary school with a young boy, claiming to be the boy’s grandfather. The complaint says the school mistakenly allowed Perry to enter before it was determined he was not the boy’s grandfather.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Testimony continues in Markeith Loyd’s murder trial

The child’s mother told investigators she’d given Gentry temporary custody, unaware of his status as a registered sex offender.

On another occasion in 2020, the sheriff’s office says they took a complaint from the mother of a boy who had run away from home and was later found to have been staying with Gentry “for a few days.”

Then, in April, the mother of another young boy called Orlando police to report a suspicious incident involving Gentry and her son while the two were doing volunteer work together at a homeless shelter.

Gentry was known in his Sorrento neighborhood as a registered sex offender, nearby residents say.

READ: Daytona Beach police establish scholarship fund in honor of officer killed in the line of duty

“Everybody on the street warned me and told me he’s is a registered sex offender,’ one neighbor who didn’t want to be identified said.

The neighbor says Gentry always seemed nice and helpful.

“During the hurricanes, he would check to make sure everything was okay.”

Now, he’s facing a federal charge of sexual exploitation of children and producing child pornography.

READ: WATCH: Nikki Fried speaks about rule affecting Black farmers seeking medical marijuana licenses

“They didn’t show any red flags of being traumatized or anything,” the neighbor said. “They’d play in the yard.”

For employment, investigators say Gentry transported bodies and dead pets for funeral homes and cremation services.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Cox Media Group