05/27/2026
Tympanick Law, P.A. represents Nicholas Pacheco Epitacio in this matter. The statements contained in the DeSoto County Sheriffโs Office post are merely allegations and have the potential to taint the jury pool. In our justice system, every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
We are concerned that certain references contained in the post may prejudice Mr. Epitacioโs right to a fair trial, particularly references to statements or admissions that may ultimately be ruled inadmissible at trial. This matter should be decided in a courtroom based upon admissible evidence and the rule of law โ not litigated on social media.
โ Matthew F. Tympanick, Esq.
Attorney for Nicholas Pacheco Epitacio
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐๐๐๐?
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. These agencies are continually engaged in proactive and reactive investigations and prosecutions of persons involved in child abuse and exploitation involving the Internet.
๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ด๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป:
On November 17, 2025, Lieutenant Zachary Long of the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) received an ICAC CyberTip through the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) CyberTipline.
During the investigation, the suspect was identified as Nicholas Pacheco Epitacio. Lt. Long developed probable cause after determining Pacheco committed several offenses involving the possession of child sexual abuse material, transmission of harmful material to a minor, and solicitation of a minor through Snapchat.
On March 18, 2026, an arrest warrant was obtained and signed by the Honorable Don T. Hall. The warrant included the following charges:
- Possession of Sexual Performance by a Child, F.S.S. 827.071(5)(a) โ 2 counts
- Transmitting Material Harmful to Minors, F.S.S. 847.0138(2) โ 3 counts
- Soliciting a Child by Computer to Commit an Unlawful Sexual Act, F.S.S. 847.0135(3)(a) โ 3 counts
๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ด๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐:
On April 4, 2026, Nicholas Pacheco Epitacio was located by Deputy Pandolfi and taken into custody on the active warrant. Deputy Pandolfi seized Pachecoโs cell phone and transported him to the DeSoto County Jail for booking procedures. Lt. Long later interviewed Pacheco regarding the investigation.
During the interview, Pacheco admitted to communicating online with individuals he believed to be juveniles approximately 14 to 15 years old. He also admitted that his sexual preference involved minors within that age range. Pacheco stated he initially met one of the individuals through TikTok, then moved Snapchat. He also used Telegram to communicate.
Based on Pachecoโs admissions and additional probable cause developed during the investigation, Lt. Long obtained a search warrant for the seized cell phone.
๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐:
After forensic analysis of the cell phone, Lt. Long reviewed additional evidence, and charged Pacheco with the following additional charges:
- Possession of Sexual Performance by a Child, F.S.S. 827.071(5)(a) โ 12 counts
- Solicitation of Child Po*******hy, F.S.S. 827.071(5)(a) โ 2 counts
- Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device, F.S.S. 934.215 โ 2 counts
- Criminal Solicitation, F.S.S. 777.04(2) โ 1 count
No local victims were identified.
ICAC investigations are lengthy, complex, and require significant time and digital forensics. Sheriff Potter commends the dedicated work of the Criminal Investigative Division detectives assigned to the ICAC Task Force for their dedication to protecting children and holding offenders accountable.
This investigation is a reminder of the risks children face online. Predators often use popular social media and messaging apps like Snapchat, TikTok, Telegram, Discord, and Instagram to contact minors and hide their identities.
Sheriff Potter encourages parents to stay engaged in their childrenโs online activity, monitor the apps they use, talk openly about online safety, and review our โ24 APPS TO LOOK OUT FORโ below:
https://www.desotosheriff.com/news_detail_T4_R356.php
