OCALA, Fla.—The husband of missing Mount Dora mom Nicole Baldwin has been convicted of four child pornography charges in federal court.
Late last month, Brett Baldwin was found guilty of one count of possession of child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor and three counts of receipt of child pornography by United States District Judge Thomas Barber during a bench trial, according to documents obtained by Inside Lake.
Investigators seized Baldwin’s phone Nov. 28, 2023 in their search for his missing wife Nicole – the same day they searched the home in Mount Dora they shared with their children. It is unknown if investigators found any evidence pertaining to Nicole, but after being missing for more than 18 months, she has not been found, and no one has been charged in her disappearance.
Investigators did find 31 child pornography images on Baldwin’s phone, and he was arrested Dec. 14, 2023, at his mother’s home in Sumter County. In an interview with investigators, Baldwin admitted possessing the child pornography and said it was for “research purposes.” A second phone belonging to Baldwin was also searched and additional child pornography images were found. He was later indicted on four charges stemming from evidence on both phones and has been held on no bond since his arrest.
Courtesy photo
According to courts documents, Baldwin waived a jury trial, and opted for the case to be decided by Barber. On March 27, Barber found Baldwin guilty after a 10-minute bench trial, according to court documents.
Nicole Baldwin, 41, was last seen Nov. 2, 2023, at her Strathmore Circle home in Mount Dora and reported missing on Nov. 5, 2023. She was originally classified as “missing and endangered,” but a search warrant later stated police were looking for evidence in a second-degree murder investigation. Multiple searches were conducted for Nicole, including one March 24, in the area of Thrill Hill Road and County Road 44A, City of Mount Dora Spokesperson Misty Sommer told Inside Lake last month. No evidence was found. If you have information on Nicole Baldwin’s disappearance, call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
Brett Baldwin is scheduled to be sentenced in Ocala federal court on the child pornography charges July 25.
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Multiple law enforcement agencies search for missing Mount Dora mom Saturday – Inside Lake
Husband of Missing Mount Dora Mom Being Held on Federal Charges – Inside Lake
Husband of Missing Mount Dora Woman Taken into Custody Thursday Morning – Inside Lake
Reward Offered for Information Leading to the Whereabouts of Missing Mount Dora Mother – Inside Lake
Community Search and Vigil Planned for Mount Dora Mom Missing a Month – Inside Lake
Major Law Enforcement Activity at Mount Dora Home of Missing Mom – Inside Lake
3 Weeks and Still No Sign of Missing Mount Dora Mom – Inside Lake
Mount Dora Woman Missing a Week, Daughter Wants Answers – Inside Lake
