This is the man arrested in Tampa

Tampa police have arrested a 20-year-old man following an investigation into the alleged online possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

According to the Tampa Police Department, detectives with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit began investigating in August after receiving a cybertip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) concerning suspected possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

Police said the investigation identified Rhett Vinson, 20, as the suspect.

Search warrant executed Wednesday

On September 30, Tampa police detectives obtained and executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence on W. Hiawatha Street in Tampa.

During the search, investigators seized Vinson’s cellphone as evidence.

According to police, detectives conducted a preliminary manual examination of the device at the scene and reported finding multiple files containing child sexual abuse material.

Ten charges filed

Vinson was arrested and charged with 10 counts of solicitation or possession of child sexual abuse material involving 10 or more images, according to Tampa police.

He was transported to the Orient Road Jail following his arrest.

Police did not provide additional details about the alleged victims or the material in its public announcement.

Investigation began with a cybertip

The case highlights the role of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in identifying suspected online child exploitation.

According to Tampa police, the investigation began after NCMEC forwarded information to the department’s ICAC Unit in August.

The investigation then led detectives to identify a suspect and obtain a search warrant for the Tampa residence.

The allegations against Vinson are criminal charges and have not been proven in court.