*Facebook and the FBI launched an investigation into a child pornography video that was being shared on Facebook last week, and the media blitz surrounding the case led to the suspect’s surrender Monday night.
The disturbing video depicts a minor performing oral sex on an adult, and its circulation reached as far as France. You may have seen it in your feed, but the frustrating part for investigators is you might have also shared it online with good intentions.
Investigators believe the people who shared it want to see the sicko pervert in the video caught and get the child help, according to Tony Garrett with Central Alabama CrimeStoppers. But, he also noted that sharing it is considered the distribution of child pornography.
Sharing, downloading or saving that type of post in any way could result in felony charges. Law officials are asking users to STOP SHARING THE VIDEO!
“If you saved it, if you posted it to your page, if you sent it to someone else,” Tim Gann, Madison County Chief Trial Attorney explained, “you’re disseminating child porn and that’s a felony. If you are in possession of it, no matter your good intentions, that is also a felony. So, in this case, it’s very disturbing that people feel like it’s ok to post something awful happening to a child on social media.”
Sharing it also creates another problem for the victim.
“Every time it gets posted, the victim, in this case, gets re-victimized for more people to see what they have been subjected to. It’s an awful thought that people can’t understand that that’s wrong,” Gann stated. “To have it blasted over social media — it shocks the conscience, for me. It really does.”
“We can not have child pornography going viral,” Jay Town told WHNT News 19.
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The man wanted for his suspected role in the investigation turned himself in to authorities earlier this week. Germaine Moore, 44, has been charged in Alabama with four counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct – First Degree, two counts of Child Sexually Abusive Activity, one count of Computers – Using to Commit a Crime and one count of Children – Distributing Sexually Explicit, Visual or Verbal Matter.
Moore was wanted on 11 felony charges in Alabama and also in Detroit, where he is charged with sexually abusing three girls under the age of 13.
According to authorities, from 2011 until 2017, the children involved – a nine-year-old, a 10-year-old and a 12-year-old, all from Detroit – were in the care and custody of Moore, who is their paternal uncle, while their mother worked. It is alleged that Moore sexually assaulted the children at his mother’s home in Detroit and at his home in Alabama.
Investigators say the child in the viral video was located and is safe. She was 6 at the time the video was made, but authorities can’t say exactly when the video was shot. The investigation is ongoing.
According to AL.com, Moore’s fiancee, Tonya Hardy, was arrested Monday night after she failed to cooperate with investigators following a search of Moore’s Millbrook home. She will be charged with hindering prosecution.
Montgomery police arrested another man, Jerrell Washington, in connection with this case. He is charged with possession and dissemination of child pornography. He was not involved in the creation of the video, but he shared it.
If you see this video anywhere, or any similar video, CrimeStoppers advises you to report it to your social media platform and law enforcement. Again, authorities urge you not to share it or the investigation could include you, per wtkr.com.
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