Child-sex-case fugitive found watching kids at splash pool

A man being sought in a child pornography investigation was found watching young children as they played at a Pompano Beach splash pool, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said Thursday.

A tip to law enforcement that Patrick Brogie had child pornography on his phone led to his arrest after a monthlong search.

Brogie, 55, was watching kids play at the pool at Atlantic Boulevard and A1A when he was arrested Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said. Images on his cellphone showed girls between the ages of 3 and 6 in bathing suits at the pool with the pictures focusing on certain parts of their bodies, according to the agency.

Brogie is accused of having video images depicting multiple men sexually abusing a child who was about 8 years old, according to an arrest affidavit. He is charged with using an electronic device to access pornography, and possessing sexual performance by a child.

Additionally, during the investigation, a Broward Sheriff’s detective found there is a warrant from German state police dating from 2008 that sought Brogie in connection with a child-sexabuse case, according to court documents.

Brogie has lived in South Florida for seven years, is currently homeless, and has been working as a stage hand with an event company, a public defender said during a court hearing Thursday.

In setting bonds totaling $100,000, a judge ordered that if Brogie is released from jail he is forbidden from using any device that can connect to the internet, must stay away from the splash pool in Pompano Beach and cannot have contact with any child younger than 12.

Contact Detective Nick Masters at 954-888-5264 with information.