News

FDLE arrests Port Charlotte man for child pornography

For Immediate Release

January 12, 2017

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement today arrested Nicholas Berlen, 25, of 2474 Mockingbird Street, Port Charlotte, Florida on 20 counts of possession of child pornography.

FDLE special agents, with assistance from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant at Berlen’s home on January 12, 2017, and seized several computers. FDLE agents conducted forensic examinations on the computers seized and recovered more than 5,000 images of suspected child pornography, some involving children as young as five years old.

Berlen was booked into the Charlotte County Jail. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 20th Judicial Circuit.
Please visit the Secure Florida website to review tips for keeping your children safe online at: http://secureflorida.org/staying_safe/best_practices_for_parents/.

For Further Information Contact:
Gretl Plessinger, or Jessica Cary
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001, Office
(850) 294- 6538, Cell

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Priorities

FDLE is composed of five areas: Executive Direction and Business Support, Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science, Criminal Justice Information, Criminal Justice Professionalism and Florida Capitol Police. FDLE’s duties, responsibilities and procedures are mandated through Chapter 943, FS, and Chapter 11, FAC. To learn more about these areas, read our Statement of Agency Organization and Operation or visit our Open Government page.