Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Mark Glass, Commissioner
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Mark Glass, Commissioner
FDLE Arrests Summerland Key Man for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2026
SUMMERLAND KEY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), arrested Melvin Donald Ellington, 76, of Summerland Key, on 11 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This arrest is the result of FDLE’s statewide initiative to locate and arrest criminals targeting children and sharing files depicting the sexual abuse of children.
The investigation began on Feb. 17 when HSI and FDLE agents conducted a search of users on a peer-to-peer file-sharing network to identify individuals sharing CSAM. Agents located three IP addresses in the Summerland Key area and identified Ellington as the user.
On Apr. 2, FDLE and HSI agents interviewed Ellington and seized several devices from his residence. A subsequent digital forensic analysis located several files depicting the sexual abuse of children.
On Aug. 24, FDLE obtained an arrest warrant, and Ellington was arrested at the Monroe County Detention Center.
The Office of the State Attorney of the 16th Judicial Circuit is prosecuting the case.
The investigation is active.
Please visit the FDLE website to review tips for keeping your children safe online at https://www.secureflorida.org/SF/Family-Safety/BPParents.
For Further Information Contact
FDLE Office of Public Information
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.
