Two men from the Carolinas face federal charges after border searches of their cellphones at a Florida cruise port uncovered child sex abuse material, federal officials announced. The separate indictments target Christopher Michael Lawhon, 36, of South Carolina, and Tajareia Lawon Aikee Blackwell, 25, of North Carolina.

Charges and Investigations

Lawhon, who returned from his trip on May 7, 2026, is charged with the production and attempted production of child sex abuse material. Court documents state that a border search of his phone turned up several secretly recorded videos, including one of a young boy using a bathroom stall. Lawhon told Homeland Security Investigations agents that he had an interest in voyeurism and regularly recorded people in restrooms.

Blackwell was indicted for the transportation of child sex abuse material after returning from his cruise on June 8, 2026. At the time of his return, Blackwell already faced pending charges from February 2026 in North Carolina for statutory rape and indecent liberties with children. Authorities searched his phone at the port and discovered he had received child sex abuse material involving a 14-year-old victim on February 22, 2026, which he then carried with him through the Middle District of Florida and into international waters.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.