TAMPA, FL — Tampa police arrested a 20-year-old man Wednesday after detectives said an online child exploitation investigation led them to suspected child sexual abuse material on his phone.
Rhett Vinson was arrested Sept. 30 following an investigation by the Tampa Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit. Police said the case began in August, when ICAC detectives received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children involving the suspected possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
Detectives opened an investigation after receiving the tip and identified Vinson as the suspect, according to Tampa police.
On Sept. 30, officers executed a court-authorized search warrant at a home at 1311 W. Hiawatha St. During the search, investigators seized Vinson’s cell phone as evidence.
Police said detectives conducted a manual preview of the phone at the scene and found multiple files containing suspected child sexual abuse material.
Vinson was arrested and charged with 10 counts of solicitation or possession of child sexual abuse material involving 10 or more images. He was transported to the Orient Road Jail.
Authorities did not immediately release additional details about the contents of the cybertip, whether investigators believe additional people were involved, or whether any local victims have been identified. No bond information or future court dates were included in the police announcement.
The Tampa Police Department said it remains committed to protecting children from abuse and online exploitation.
Anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse, knows someone who may have been victimized, or has information about the possession, production or distribution of child sexual abuse material is asked to contact law enforcement.
The Tampa Police Department’s non-emergency line is 813-231-6130. In an emergency, call 911.
Tips can also be submitted to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 800-843-5678 or through CyberTipline.org, which accepts reports anonymously 24 hours a day.
Vinson has been accused of crimes but has not been convicted. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source: Tampa Police Department
