Pedophilia book author Philip Greaves booked into Polk County Jail

POLK COUNTY, Fla. - A Colorado man who authored a how-to guide for pedophiles, was booked into the Polk County jail shortly before noon Monday.

Philip Greaves II was arrested at his home yesterday in Pueblo, Colorado. His first court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.Greaves, 47, is charged with violating Florida's obscenity law, a third-degree felony.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is claiming jurisdiction because undercover detectives received a signed copy of "The Pedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure" they had requested and received from Greaves.

Florida's obscenity law prohibits the "distribution of obscene material depicting minors engaged in conduct harmful to minors."

Greaves' arrest has sparked a national debate over free speech and the constitutionality of the Florida law.

The book sparked outrage after it was listed on Amazon.com. It was later removed from the website.

Judd said Greaves admitted to writing the book when he was arrested on Monday. Judd said he also admitted to sending a signed copy to the undercover detectives.

"We didn't do this in a vacuum," Judd told CNN. He said his office acted after consultation with the State Attorney's Office and other legal experts.

Lawyer and First Amendment expert Lawrence Walters says the law has been used in the past to prosecute people who possess inappropriate images of children, not words. Walters says it may be tough to prosecute Greaves.

“There are certainly some very significant First Amendment issues at stake in the case. This case could have the potential to go to the State Supreme Court,” Walters said.

Greaves is expected to make his first appearance in a Polk County courtroom on Wednesday.