A Florida man faces dozens of child pornography charges following an investigation that began with a referral from law enforcement officials in California, authorities said on Friday.

Florida authorities said they were contacted on January 13 by investigators in Yuba City in Northern California regarding a child pornography case after a suspect was identified as living within Winter Haven city limits.

Yuba City police said the investigation originated when the mother of a 7-year-old girl brought her child’s cellphone to the Yuba City Police Department after discovering a man on it along with another minor. Detectives identified a suspect who was later determined to be Alex Joel Melendez, 24, of Winter Haven.

Winter Haven detectives obtained a search warrant for Melendez’s home, which was executed on the evening of January 15 with assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. During the search, investigators said they found extensive evidence, including photos, videos and explicit messages exchanged between Melendez and multiple minor victims through a Snapchat account.

Police said Melendez was identified through Snapchat subscriber information linked to an email address and date of birth. Messages reviewed by detectives also included Melendez providing his first name, age and birth month, officials said.

Several other cyber tips were later discovered to have been reported to Snapchat involving victims between 7 and 17 years old, police said.

According to police, Melendez admitted that since March or April of 2024, he had been soliciting nude images and videos from minors, which he then sold. Investigators said Melendez told detectives he would randomly add users on Snapchat, start conversations and eventually ask for explicit content, sometimes directing minors on what to do.

Melendez also admitted to knowing he was contacting minors, police said, and said he was selling the images for financial reasons. He told detectives he only used Snapchat and admitted that when accounts were blocked, he would create new ones.

Melendez was arrested during that Jan. 15 search of his home and has been charged with 49 counts of possession of child pornography, police said. Additional charges are expected as investigators continue reviewing his devices.

“My detectives worked tirelessly and with a sense of urgency to bring this monster into custody,” Winter Haven Police Chief Vance Monroe said in a statement. “Each video or photograph he uploaded feeds the child exploitation industry and victimizes these young lives over and over.”

Are you feeling some bagels this morning? Two family businesses, both originally from New York, are serving up some of the finest bagels and Italian food in South Florida.

CBS News Miami’s Anna McAllister heads to Fort Lauderdale to check out A&S Deli and Bakery and Goldberg’s Delicatessen and Bagels on North Federal Highway.

When you walk into A&S and Goldberg’s, you’re treated like family.

They’ve serving up Italian deli food and traditional, Jewish New York bagels – all in one shop.

Marc Goldberg and Nick Maltese grew up in their family business – and it’s their passion.

“We started here in Florida in 1971 on Bayview Drive,” Maltese said. “It was called Rotoni’s Italian Deli, and my dad was young. He was making fresh mozzarella, making soppressata. We had a deli and I used to help him.”

Both sides of the shop pride themselves on the freshness of their products, like homemade mozzarella on the A&S side.

The cheese is made fresh every day along with the rolls for every sandwich.

And on Goldberg’s side every bagel is made fresh in house.

“My favorite thing from Goldberg’s is the bagels,” customer Paula Cury said. “We come here in the morning and get our bagels. And them from A&S, I really like their number six. The Nicky’s Favorite. It has fresh mozzarella, tomato, prosciutto and balsamic glaze.”

And, of course, CBS News Miami couldn’t stop by and not try their specialty items like a toasted sesame bagel with vegetable cream cheese, fresh sliced lox, tomato, red onion and capers.

And how about that South Bronx chicken cutlet sandwich? Every single item that CBS News Miami tried, from the bagel sandwiches to the soups and specialty deli creations was outstanding.

“I would say that the my favorite thing about this place is that come in, and you feel like you’re home,” McAllister said.

“We make everybody feel that way,” Maltese replied.

And you can get the best of both worlds seven days a week.

They also take orders online.

Check out the A&S Italian Deli and Bakery website by clicking here.

For more information about Goldberg’s Delicatessen and Bagels, click here.