News and Investigations

On Wednesday, March 27, 2019, detectives with the Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested 32-year-old Joao Meira, of 16280 Rock Coast Drive in Winter Garden, for soliciting a nude picture of a 14-year-old girl from Davenport.

The investigation began on November 6, 2018, when detectives received a CyberTipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), saying that Meira solicited the victim for a nude photograph.

A total of 22 images were reported, with most showing a young girl in various poses wearing a bikini, underwear, and bra. One image showed the girl partially nude in a lewd manor. 

The victim confirmed she had communicated with Meira via the Facebook Messenger app, and that he had requested a nude photo of her, which she provided to him. She said she was 13-years-old when the photo was taken. The girl also said that Meira sent her a photo that showed his face and penis. 

Meira owns Real Solution Realty, located at 34 Bay Street in Davenport, but the victim told detectives she never met him in person.

"At this time, we are only aware of one victim. The investigation is ongoing to see if there are more images of this girl, or any other children. But even if there is only the one image, it's one too many. No man, no matter how old, should be asking little girls for nude pictures." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

At the time of his arrest in Davenport, Meira's cell phone was taken for forensic examination. He was transported to the Polk County Jail in Bartow. 

Meira was charged with Using a Computer to Solicit a Child (F3) and Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device (F3).