WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WPEC) — An attorney in Florida who fought for child sexual abuse victims pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to possession of child pornography.
Prosecutors say when Michael Dolce was arrested in March, he had nearly 1,997 images and five videos of child sexual abuse materials on his laptop. He faces a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he’s sentenced in December.
A prosecutor also said Dolce will have to pay restitution of no less than $3,000 per victim.
On March 15, FBI agents with a search warrant for Dolce’s apartment and car paid him a visit. When nobody answered the front door, officials broke it down and found the attorney awake in bed, downloading child pornography, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
Several different folders of images of pre-pubescent children were found on the man’s laptop, officials said.
WPEC’s previous coverage of Dolce’s arrest included details about the man’s LinkedIn profile, which reportedly stated he represented adult and child survivors of sexual abuse. After a thorough search on the social media platform, it was concluded the profile no longer exists.
A spokesperson for the man’s employer, Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll in Palm Beach Gardens, previously stated he was fired.
Dolce, who worked as a partner and shareholder at the firm, was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1995 and graduated from Stetson University’s College of Law in 1994.
The firm is stunned and saddened by these appalling allegations,” the law firm said in its previous statement. “Michael Dolce was terminated and is no longer affiliated with the firm. We are focused on attending to the needs of our clients and staff, and continuing to cooperate fully with the investigation.”
Dolce’s Florida Bar member profile currently states he is ineligible to practice law in the state with a disciplinary proceeding pending.