Man Jailed After Roommate Reports Child Porn On His Computer

WINTER HAVEN, FL — A 31-year-old Winter Haven man has been arrested and charged with 300 counts of possession of child pornography after a former roommate tipped off the police.

On Feb. 1, Nikolas Andrew Young, formerly of St. Georges Circle in Winter Haven, was taken into custody after a two-month investigation revealed hundreds of still images and videos depicting children as young as 4 years old involved in sexual conduct with adults or other children, said police.

Police said none of the children are believed to be from Polk County.

The investigation began after police served an eviction notice on Young in December, filed by his former roommate. While the officer was on the scene, the roommate alerted the officer to some child pornography on Young's computer, police said.

The roommate said Young showed him the images of children ages 12 to 14 engaged in sexual intercourse with adults. The roommate said he'd known Young for three years and the two had been roommates for the past 15 months.

Winter Haven detectives conducted a follow-up investigation after the roommate said Young showed him a folder on his Apple laptop computer and said, "Don't tell anyone. I have a secured file that could put me in jail for the remainder of my life because I do watch child porn."

Young moved to Poinciana after the roommate evicted him. Detectives went to his new residence on Jan. 20 to investigate the roommate's claims.

Detectives said Young told them that he'd watched child pornography videos in the past but insisted he wanted to "clean myself up."

Detectives obtained a search warrant on Jan. 25 and confiscated Young's computer. On Feb. 1, a forensic search of the computer uncovered hundreds of images and videos depicting child abuse, child pornography along with erotica involving children, detectives said.

Young was promptly taken into custody and is currently in the Polk County Jail with no bond.

"We are thankful for that roommate who spoke up to report this heinous crime that was occurring," said Police Chief David Brannan. "These children had their innocence taken away for deviants like Young and they will never get that back. He is where he needs to be and should be staying there for a long time."