Florida man arrested on felony child porn warrant
A near year-long federal investigation has led to the arrest of a Florida man wanted on child pornography charges.
David L. Erdman, 51, was taken into custody on Monday where he remains behind bars at the Tonopah Detention Center.
Erdman’s capture came after an exhaustive investigation by federal agents, Florida law enforcement and Nye County Sheriff’s detectives.
According to a release by Nye County Sheriff’s Office, local authorities became aware of Erdman after his vehicle was parked for several days with no activity in the Hot Creek Ranch area near Tonopah last May.
“Deputies responded to the area and located the vehicle,” according to police. “It appeared that the vehicle had been parked as the occupant was out camping. There was a note found inside the vehicle that said ‘out camping, will be back soon.’ The vehicle was registered to David Erdman out of Florida.”
As a result, Nye County Search and Rescue, along with sheriff’s deputies, conducted an extensive search of the area. After two weeks, authorities called off the search for Erdman.
His vehicle was towed to the Nye County Sheriff’s Office where it was processed further, with no additional information located.
Deputies, at the time, concluded that Erdman was either lost in the area, or had staged the scene to effect his disappearance.
On Sunday, authorities were able to break the case after a confidential informant contacted the sheriff’s office with information on Erdman. The informant explained Erdman was actually living at the Economy Inn in Tonopah, working there as a maintenance person.
The motel is roughly 80 miles southwest from Hot Creek Ranch where the man’s car was found.
The informant told deputies that Erdman was not at the motel at the time, but would be returning at 8:45 a.m. on Monday March 30, to report for work.
Deputies set up a surveillance sting for the capture of Erdman, who was located in the parking lot of the establishment at 8:50 a.m.
He was arrested without incident on the felony arrest warrant for possession and distribution of child pornography.
He remains in custody awaiting an extradition hearing to face the Florida charges.
