ICAC Search Warrant & Arrest
Published on November 13, 2024
On Thursday, November 7, 2024, the Gainesville Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Division, with the assistance of GPD SWAT, served a search
warrant at 710 SW Depot Ave, APT 234. The investigation was prompted after GPD received a Cyber Tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The Cyber Tip indicated that a Snapchat account holder distributed sexually explicit images to a minor child.
The investigation by Detective Montague, of the Gainesville Police Department, revealed that the likely account holder was Nathan Lewis (W/M, 09-11-2004) who resides at the listed location. Detective Montague conducted legal process which revealed that Lewis was communicating with a number of minors, six of which he distributed or and or received sexual content from.
During a post Miranda interview, Lewis advised that he no longer has Snapchat because it was a “huge distraction”. Lewis admitted to being the owner of the suspect Snapchat account as well as the author of the chats. Lewis stated that he was severely depressed and lonely, during the spring academic semester, and that he just wanted to talk to anyone and have an interaction.
Lewis initially stated that he knew he chatted with fifteen and sixteen-year-olds, but not any younger than that. When advised that there was evidence he chatted with numerous people who identified as thirteen, fourteen, fifteen and sixteen, Lewis again reiterated he went through a “rough” time during spring semester.
Lewis was subsequently arrested for one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, six counts of transmission of harmful material to a minor(s), two counts of solicitation of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography. A complete analysis of Lewis’ seized devices is still pending.
The Gainesville Police Department wants parents to be aware that children are being solicited and exploited through social networking and messaging apps. We encourage parents to have age appropriate conversations with their children about the dangers of the internet. Please be vigilant and aware of any social networking platforms your children may access.
What is ICAC?
The ICAC Task Force helps Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies enhance their investigative responses to offenders who use the Internet, online communication systems, or computer technology to sexually exploit children. The Program is funded by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The ICAC Program is a national network of 61 coordinated task forces representing over 3,000 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies that are engaged in proactive investigations, forensic investigations, and criminal prosecutions.