Man Wanted for distribution of Child Pornography Arrested Monday

Submitted by the Nye County Sheriffs Department

In May of 2014, NCSO deputies were made aware of a vehicle parked in the Hot Creek ranch area. The report was that the vehicle had been parked there for several days with no activity. Deputies responded to the area and located the vehicle. It appeared that the vehicle had been parked as the occupant was out camping. There was a note found inside the vehicle that said “Out camping, will be back soon.” The vehicle was registered to David Erdman out of Florida.
Nye County Search and Rescue, along with NCSO Deputies, conducted an exhaustive search of the area.  Approximately 14 days of searching the surrounding area was completed with no results for the individual.  As part of the process of searching for the occupant of the vehicle, NCSO Deputies contacted authorities in Florida. It was discovered that David Erdman was the subject of a federal investigation for the possession and distribution of child pornography.  Federal agents explained that there would be a warrant of arrest completed within the next couple of weeks for Erdman.
After several weeks of searching with no results, the search for Erdman was called off in the Hot Creek Ranch area.  His vehicle was towed to the Nye County Sheriff’s Office where it was processed further, with no pertinent information located.  NCSO deputies concluded that Erdman was either lost in the area, or he had staged the scene to effect his disappearance.
Federal Agents did confirm an extraditable warrant was issued for the arrest of David Erdman in June of 2014.
This past Sunday, March 29th, a confidential informant contacted Sgt. Puckett with information on David Erdman. The informant explained that David Erdman was actually living at the Economy Inn in Tonopah and working as a maintenance person. The informant explained that Erdman was not at the motel at the time, but would be returning on Monday, March 30th to report for work at approximately 8:45 am. The NCSO then set up a surveillance sting for the capture of Erdman.
On Monday, March 30th at approximately 8:50 am, David Erdman was located in the parking lot of the Economy Inn motel. NCSO Deputies made contact and arrested of David Erdman without incident. He is currently being held at the Tonopah Detention Facility awaiting extradition to Florida.  Erdman is being held on a felony arrest warrant for possession and distribution of child pornography.

Suspect David Erdman, booking photo by Nye County

tonopah news, tonopah nevada, nye county sheriffs department, david erdman