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Cousin: Jacksonville Beach man accused of 1994 murder and child porn charges 'seems positive'

The man accused of killing and dismembering a teenager in 1994 is now facing 12 new child pornography charges.

Ronnie Hyde, 60, is accused of killing 16-year-old Fred Laster and leaving his dismembered torso near a Lake City dumpster.

The former youth pastor was arrested March 7 after investigators matched his DNA to DNA found with Laster's body in 1994.

The Jacksonville Beach mental health counselor is now facing charges for possession of photographs and video of sexual performances by a child.

A new court document said Hyde had both digital images and movies.

The charges come more than two weeks after the FBI wrapped up its search of Hyde’s Jacksonville Beach home.

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“This may not be the end of it. There may be other charges,” said Dale Carson, a former FBI special agent who is Action News Jax's law and safety expert Dale Carson.

Action News Jax’s Jenna Bourne was the first reporter to visit Hyde in jail.

On Tuesday morning, Hyde smiled at Bourne when he came into the visitation room at the jail and asked who she was.

When Bourne identified herself, Hyde backed out of the room and told the nearest guard he didn’t know her.

Minutes later, Hyde accepted a visit from his cousin.

The cousin asked Action News Jax not to name him, but agreed to meet for an exclusive interview after his visit with Hyde.

Hyde’s cousin said Hyde has been instructed not to speak to the media.

He said Hyde told him he’s in the dark about what the FBI found at his home.

“He doesn’t have any idea what was taken out of the house by the FBI, or anything like that. I don’t think – or, they haven’t told anything of what they took out,” Hyde’s cousin said.

Hyde’s cousin said much of their conversation on Tuesday focused on housekeeping issues like the code violations at his house.

“He told me a couple things with paint, and some doors, and things like that, trimming the bushes back, something with the roof. So I’m going to try to contact the beach code enforcement to see what exactly needs to be fixed so we can start trying to get that done for him,” Hyde’s cousin said. “He seems, you know, I won’t say ‘upbeat.’ But, you know, he seems positive.”

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Carson said it’s possible Hyde does not know about the new charges.

“If he’s not in general population and nobody’s been in contact with him, he might well not know,” Carson said.

Hyde’s cousin said he feels a responsibility to help.

“Family’s a big deal, always has been, to me. That was something my father instilled into me, so we’re going to help family out and try to help him get through this,” Hyde’s cousin said.

If convicted on all counts, Hyde faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, plus 180 years.