A Sarasota man who was scheduled to stand trial on 13 counts of possessing obscene material depicting a child’s sexual performance has pleaded to a single count of possession of child pornography. Colton Berman, 30, was sentenced to 18 months in state prison, followed by 10 years of probation. He must also register as a sex offender and pay $4,444 in court fees and reparations. His trial had been set for Sept. 22.
The investigation began in March 2025, when the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force contacted Sarasota Police about a National Center for Missing & Exploited Children cyber tip. Two suspected child pornography files had been uploaded from a home on Tulip Drive, according to investigators. After months of investigation and surveillance, detectives served a search warrant on Aug. 8, 2025. Police say devices seized from the home contained additional explicit photos and videos, along with chat conversations in which Berman requested and sent the material.
Berman’s probation conditions include a curfew, no contact with the victim, and a requirement to stay at least 1,000 feet away from schools. The plea closes a case that had been moving toward trial, and it raises questions many in our community are already asking about how child exploitation cases are resolved and whether the punishment fits the scope of the charges. What do you think: does 18 months plus a decade of probation reflect the seriousness of this case? Let us know in the comments.
