Palm Beach Gardens attorney who fought sex abuse arrested for possession of child pornography

Michael T. Dolce, a West Palm Beach attorney known for representing minors who were victims of sexual abuse, has been arrested for possession of child pornography. The 53-year-old man was found downloading underage sexual content.

According to a criminal complaint affidavit, FBI agents conducted a search warrant at the attorney's West Palm Beach apartment and found him in bed with an open laptop downloading and viewing child pornography.

The arrest statement notes that the laptop contained about 2,000 sexual photos and videos of minors including 11-year-old preteens and girls approximately five years old in sexually explicit positions.

Who is he?

Michael T. Dolce graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 1994 and prior to the arrest was a partner at the firm of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, PLLC in Palm Beach Gardens, where he was in charge of leading the sex abuse, sex trafficking and domestic violence team.

"Dolce brings to his work the insight and commitment of a survivor, having himself been the victim of sexual abuse as a young boy at the hands of a sadistic predator," the company's website stated. However, the lawyer is no longer listed as an employee and a company spokesman announced that he has been fired.

"The firm is stunned and saddened by these appalling allegations. 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," the spokesperson said.