DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office
Press Release
The Internet Crimes against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program is a national network of 61 coordinated task forces representing over 4,500 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.
DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Zachary Long is a member of the Central Florida Internet Crimes against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which receives Cyber Tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). ICAC members are continually engaged in proactive and reactive investigations and prosecutions of persons involved in child abuse and child exploitation involving the Internet.
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On September 11, 2025, Lt. Zachary Long received ICAC Cybertip reports in reference to “Lil Gator”. After numerous search warrants and a thorough investigation, convicted felon Brandon Estes of 2371 SE Shady Circle, Arcadia, FL a.k.a. “Lil Gator” was determined to be in possession of child pornography.
On November 3rd, 2025, an arrest warrant was issued for Brandon and this morning, November 4th, 2025, our Criminal Investigative Division (CID) executed a search warrant on his residence. Our CID seized numerous electronics such as laptops, flash drives, and cell phones.
Brandon Estes was placed under arrest for eighty-four (84) counts of 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘆 pursuant to 𝗙.𝗦.𝗦. 𝟴𝟮𝟳.𝟬𝟳𝟭(𝟱)(𝗮) [𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙.𝗦.𝗦. 𝟳𝟳𝟱.𝟬𝟴𝟰𝟳(𝟮)(𝗮)(𝗯)𝟭].
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting children and will continue to hold accountable anyone who seeks to harm or exploit them. Sheriff Potter commends our hard-working detectives who work tirelessly to keep DeSoto County safe.
Brandon Estes is currently being held at the DeSoto County Jail with no bond.
