Sarasota man arrested on child pornography charges

A Sarasota man has been arrested on 13 counts of possession of child pornography. Colton Berman, 29, was arrested Aug. 14 and booked into the Sarasota County Jail. He has since been released on bond.

In March 2025, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force contacted Sarasota Police detectives regarding a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The tip indicated that two files suspected of containing child pornography were uploaded online from a home in the 1900 block of Tulip Drive in Sarasota. Detectives reviewed the videos and confirmed they contained child pornography.

Months of investigation and surveillance led to a search warrant served on Aug. 8 at the home where the videos were uploaded. A digital forensic exam of electronic devices seized from the home revealed additional explicit photos and videos, as well as chat conversations in which Berman requested and sent child pornography.

The case remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sarasota Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 941-263-6070.