PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit have arrested a Safety Harbor man for Seduction of a Child Using Internet or Electronic Device.
According to detectives, their investigation began after receiving a tip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), that 62-year-old Derrick Middleton was attempting to solicit sexual activities with a minor.
Detectives say, Middleton was utilizing a social media application to solicit sexual intercourse with a minor, but was unknowingly chatting with an undercover detective from the Richmond Police Department in Virginia.
Through various investigative techniques, detectives were able to retrieve the chats from Middleton’s electronic device.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant from the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida and Middleton was arrested on November 5, 2020. In an interview with detectives, Middleton admitted to the allegations.
Middleton was charged with one count Unlawful Use of Two-way Communication Device and one count Certain Use of Computer Services Prohibited. He was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.