For Immediate Release

Feb. 10, 2026

GAINESVILLE, Fla., – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested Ethan Castro, 23, of San Francisco, California, on one count of transmission of harmful material to a minor, one count promoting sexual performance by a child and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material. This arrest is a result of FDLE’s statewide initiative to locate and arrest criminals targeting children and sharing files depicting the sexual abuse of children.

FDLE’s investigation began in April 2025 when agents received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that an individual was exploiting a juvenile victim from Levy County, Florida to produce child sexual abuse material through Snapchat. 

Further investigation identified Ethan Castro from San Francisco, California as the individual soliciting child sexual abuse material from the juvenile victim. 

FDLE obtained a warrant for Castro’s arrest in January 2026. Castro was taken into custody on Feb. 2, 2026, by the U.S. Marshals Service in San Bernardino, California. Castro is currently in jail pending extradition to Florida.

The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, Eighth Judicial Circuit.   

The investigation remains active.

For Further Information Contact

FDLE Office of Public Information