Former child actor Matt Prokop was arrested in Texas on December 24, facing multiple charges including possession of child pornography, aggravated assault of a family member with a weapon, and resisting arrest, amid past abuse allegations from his ex-girlfriend Sarah Hyland.
Travis Turner, a Virginia high school football coach accused of child pornography offenses, has been missing for over a month after leaving his home with a firearm into the Appalachian Mountains. Despite extensive search efforts, he remains at large, and authorities consider him a fugitive. His disappearance has deeply affected his community and family, who are cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing search.
Files related to Jeffrey Epstein reveal a 1996 FBI complaint about child pornography, predating the federal investigation by about a decade, with claims that Maria Farmer warned the FBI in the 1990s but was ignored.
Four men linked to a major pedophilia and child pornography case in Metro Detroit have been arrested following FBI investigations, revealing disturbing chats and sharing of illegal material, with some suspects also involved in plans to abuse children.
Anthony Lennon, an Oklahoma sex offender on the run for 13 years, was found in New York where he had enrolled in college under an alias after allegedly faking his abduction in 2012 to avoid further charges related to child pornography. He was arrested after fingerprints confirmed his identity, and he was barred from returning to the college.
Evolve Bank CEO Bob Hartheimer was fired after being caught by the FBI attempting to engage in illegal activities with an undercover agent posing as a minor on Grindr, leading to his arrest on charges related to child pornography.
Sia's divorce from Daniel Bernad has escalated into a bitter custody dispute with serious allegations, including Bernad's claims that Sia is a drug addict and her counter-claim that Bernad was investigated for child pornography, leading to a complex legal battle over custody of their 19-month-old son.
A 20-year-old California man, James Styner, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting minor girls on Discord, admitting to multiple charges including child pornography and coercion, after victimizing at least a dozen girls aged 12 to 17 over two years.
A former gymnastics coach, Sean Gardner, was arrested by the FBI on federal child pornography charges, more than three years after allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct at a gymnastics academy in Iowa and Mississippi were reported. Despite suspensions and investigations by SafeSport, delays in legal proceedings and investigations have left victims without justice for years, highlighting issues in the handling of abuse cases in sports.
A former gymnastics coach, Sean Gardner, accused of sexual abuse and child pornography, was arrested by the FBI in 2024, years after allegations surfaced and SafeSport suspended him, highlighting issues in the handling and investigation of abuse cases in sports.
A former gymnastics coach, Sean Gardner, was arrested by the FBI on child pornography charges over four years after allegations of sexual abuse at a prominent U.S. gymnastics academy surfaced. Despite suspensions and investigations by SafeSport, Gardner continued to work in healthcare, and authorities uncovered evidence of abuse and illegal recordings, highlighting systemic issues in handling such cases.
Estes Carter Thompson III, a former American Airlines flight attendant, was sentenced to 18.5 years in prison for secretly filming young girls in airplane lavatories and possessing child pornography, including images generated by AI, after he directed minors to specific bathrooms equipped with hidden recording devices.
China has praised the US for releasing three Chinese citizens, including Jin Shanlin, who was convicted of possessing child pornography, as part of a rare prisoner swap. The swap, negotiated with the Biden administration, also involved two Chinese citizens convicted of espionage-related charges. In exchange, China released three Americans considered wrongfully detained by the US. The Chinese foreign ministry emphasized its commitment to protecting its citizens abroad, while the US National Security Council highlighted the successful return of Americans from China.
A Phoenix police officer has been arrested for allegedly receiving and possessing child pornography, with the FBI conducting the investigation. The officer, Alaa Robert Bartley, is charged with knowingly receiving and possessing child pornography, and the Phoenix Police Department has placed him on administrative leave and initiated the disciplinary process. The department stated that Bartley's alleged actions are contrary to their values and the work done to protect children, and they are committed to the safety and well-being of the community.
A Jensen Beach man, Daniel Clark Warren, has been arrested on charges of using artificial intelligence to create child pornography, a first in Martin County. Warren allegedly used AI to create explicit images of a local girl by manipulating her photos. The case was uncovered after a cyber tip led to a search warrant, revealing not only the illegal material but also evidence of AI involvement. Detective Brian Broughton emphasized the need for education and awareness to prevent such crimes, as Warren faces multiple felony charges and a court date in May.