LAKE CITY, FL — A 43-year-old Lake City man remains held behind bars on a $100,000 bond following a three-month digital investigation by local cybercrime detectives and federal child protection agencies.
Robert Kyle Tanner was arrested on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, by Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies. He faces multiple felony charges tied to the possession and digital transmission of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Task Force Tracks Cyber Tip
The investigation originated on Monday, February 18, 2026, when CCSO detectives embedded within the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force intercepted a CyberTipline report forwarded by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
The federal tip flagged suspicious file-sharing activity originating from a network connection in Columbia County. Task force investigators utilized digital forensics to trace the IP addresses and online traffic directly to Tanner’s residence located at 208 SE Lindale Glen in Lake City.
Device Raids and Evidence Seizure
Equipped with a series of digital search warrants, cybercrime detectives executed raids on the property and seized multiple internet-connected devices, including cell phones and hard drives.
A preliminary forensic review of the hardware uncovered a cache of illicit media, with technicians successfully recovering more than 15 distinct, verified CSAM still images and videos. Armed with the physical evidence, detectives secured a formal arrest warrant this week.
Detention and Charges
Tanner was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility. He has been formally charged under Florida State Statutes with:
- Possession/Control/Viewing of Child Pornography (Third-Degree Felony)
- Using a Two-Way Communication Device to Commit a Felony (Third-Degree Felony)
A judge established Tanner’s total bond at $100,000. The investigation is ongoing.