Man in Punta Gorda accused of extorting nude photos from child

A man accused of coercing and extorting a juvenile for nude photos has been arrested on Tuesday by Charlotte County detectives. Now, authorities expect more victims to come forward.

The suspect, Nathan Potter, 37, faces local charges of Possessing Photographs of Sexual Performance by a Child and Compiling Computer Pornography Involving a Minor. Both charges are third-degree felonies.

Canadian authorities met with a child’s parents regarding her online activity. According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office press release, Potter coerced the victim to send him nude photos through online apps Sketch and Discord. Then, the suspect extorted additional images from the victim by threatening to share the previous photos online.

After identifying Potter through their investigation, Canadian authorities contacted CCSO Detective Don Woelke, who found out the suspect has felony warrants in Georgia. The CCSO press release states Potter was arrested in Punta Gorda at the Flamingo Motel while he was moving boxes into a U-Haul moving van.

Right now, Potter is in custody at the Charlotte County Jail with no bond. CCSO Sheriff Bill Prummell credits the arrest to teamwork among multiple agencies. “We are committed to catching these offenders and protecting our youth,” he said.

Duane Orr, who lives next door to Potter, hopes other victims implicate the suspect and he will face justice. ‘I didn’t really suspect anything,” said Orr, who saw the FBI arrest Potter. “That’s the danger right there.”