All articles tagged with #sexual exploitation
Comedian Jon Reep was arrested in North Carolina on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, following an investigation triggered by a cyber tip, with his court appearance scheduled soon.
The article investigates how Daniel Savala, a convicted sex offender and influential figure within Chi Alpha, a Christian ministry affiliated with the Assemblies of God, exploited his position to sexually abuse students over decades, despite warnings to church leadership, highlighting failures in accountability and oversight within the church organization.
A lawsuit has been filed against American Airlines and a former employee after a 9-year-old child was secretly filmed by a flight attendant while using a plane bathroom. The flight attendant, identified as Estes Carter Thompson III, faces charges of sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography. The victim suffered severe emotional distress, and the lawsuit seeks monetary relief exceeding $1 million for costs, expenses, and attorney fees.
A Houston mall worker, Arthur Hector Fernandez III, has been arrested and charged with federal offenses after allegedly participating in the group sexual abuse of two toddlers in his care and filming the acts for the dark web. The disturbing videos, initially flagged by an Australian anti-child exploitation agency, showed Fernandez and others abusing the children in a public restroom. Authorities were able to identify the victims and their relatives, who had entrusted Fernandez with babysitting. Fernandez has been charged with sexual exploitation of children and will be detained pending trial, with overwhelming evidence cited by the presiding judge.
French authorities have arrested Gregorian Bivolaru, the leader of the Atman Yoga Federation, on suspicion of indoctrinating female followers for sexual exploitation. The investigation began after reports of psychological manipulation and sexual abuse within the organization. Bivolaru is facing charges of human trafficking, organized kidnapping, rape, and organized abuse of weakness. The raids involved 175 police officers and resulted in 40 other arrests. The investigation found evidence of coerced sexual activities, including explicit video chats, under the pretense of tantric yoga teachings.
Gregorian Bivolaru, the leader of a multinational tantric yoga organization, has been arrested in France on charges of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The investigation into Bivolaru and his yoga federation began after reports of psychological manipulation and abuse within the organization. Former members alerted authorities to the alleged abuses. Bivolaru is also wanted in Finland for alleged aggravated trafficking in human beings. The operation involved 175 police officers and resulted in 40 other arrests. The investigation found evidence of coerced sexual activities and financial exploitation within the organization.
Former Northeastern University track and field coach, Steve Waithe, pleaded guilty to charges related to tricking female athletes into sending him explicit photos under the guise of a research study. Waithe posed as a woman and requested information and photos related to their physical attributes. He also covertly sent himself explicit photos found on their phones. Waithe cyberstalked a student, hacked into her Snapchat account, and threatened to leak stolen nude photos. He victimized student athletes from multiple universities and used sham social media and email accounts. Waithe pleaded guilty to wire fraud, cyberstalking, conspiracy, and computer fraud charges and faces up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge. He is scheduled for sentencing on March 6.
Holli Hodges, an employee at a Head Start preschool program in Beaufort County, South Carolina, has been charged with third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. She allegedly took inappropriate photos of a 4-year-old student and admitted to her supervisor that she had taken the photos on her personal phone. The incident was reported to law enforcement, and Hodges is currently in custody. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed. The Beaufort-Jasper Economic Opportunity Commission, which sponsors Head Start in the area, has provided support services for the affected children and families.
Holli Hodges, a Beaufort County Head Start staff member, has been charged with third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor after investigators found inappropriate images of children. Hodges had at least one image of a child, and her electronic devices have been seized for examination by the South Carolina Attorney General's Office. She is currently being held in the Beaufort County Detention Center.
A 40-year-old man in Henderson County, North Carolina, has been arrested and charged with incest and 40 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. The arrest followed an investigation into reports of incest between the man and his biological daughter. Evidence, including photos and videos, was collected during the investigation, revealing instances of incest and other child sexual abuse material. The suspect is currently in custody with a secured bond of $1,600,500. Further information has been withheld pending the adjudication of the case.
A former church pastor and music teacher in Colorado Springs has been arrested on charges related to the sexual exploitation of a child, following a tip from the FBI. Jonathan Shaheen, 30, was communicating with a New Mexican couple involved in child exploitation, according to the FBI. The couple has also been arrested, but their names and the arresting agency have not been disclosed. Shaheen, who worked at TimberCreek Church and School of Rock, is currently in custody without bond. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have stated that they are not actively seeking additional victims at this time.
The FBI Omaha Field Office is seeking the public's help in an ongoing sexual exploitation investigation, sharing pictures of an unidentified man known as John Doe 47, who may have crucial information regarding the identification of a child victim. The man, described as a Black male aged 18-25, was seen in a video obtained by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The FBI urges anyone with information to submit tips online or call their toll-free tip line. No charges have been filed, and the man is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Tyler Watkins, a man who fled during his trial and was found guilty of rape charges, was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He had been sentenced to life plus an additional 176 years for multiple charges, including rape and child exploitation. Watkins had cut off his ankle monitor and was discovered behind a building in South Memphis.
A police officer in Mooresville has been arrested for sexual exploitation of a minor.
Huw Edwards, the highest-paid news anchor at the BBC, has been named as the presenter who allegedly paid a teenager tens of thousands of pounds for sexually explicit images. Edwards' wife stated that he is suffering from serious mental health issues and is currently receiving in-patient hospital care. The Metropolitan Police found no evidence of criminal offense, but the BBC will conduct its own investigation. Other young people have come forward with claims against Edwards, and his wife has asked for privacy during this difficult time.