Tampa Police Make Arrest in Child Sexual Abuse Materials Investigation News Tampa Police TAMPA, FL. (SEPTEMBER 30, 2026) - - Tampa Police arrested 20-year-old Rhett Vinson[...]

TAMPA, FL. (SEPTEMBER 30, 2026) - - Tampa Police arrested 20-year-old Rhett Vinson (white male, 12/07/2005) following an investigation into the online exploitation of children.

In August, detectives with the Tampa Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the possession and distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Tampa Police ICAC detectives immediately launched a thorough investigation, which identified Vinson as the suspect.

On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Tampa Police executed a court-authorized search warrant at 1311 W Hiawatha St. During the search, Vinson's cell phone was seized as evidence. A manual preview of the device conducted on-scene revealed multiple files containing CSAM content.

Vinson was arrested and charged with 10 counts of Solicitation or Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (ten or more images). He was transported to the Orient Road Jail.

The Tampa Police Department is committed to protecting children from abuse and online exploitation. If you or someone you know has been a victim of child sexual abuse, or if you have information regarding the possession, production, or distribution of CSAM, please reach out immediately:

• Notify Local Law Enforcement: Call the Tampa Police Department non-emergency line at 813.231.6130, or call 911 in the event of an immediate emergency.
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): Call 800.843.5678 or visit cybertipline.org to report anonymously 24/7/365.