Advertisement

Authorities hope images of child porn suspects can solve crimes

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Federal authorities in Los Angeles on Thursday announced criminal complaints against two suspects depicted in a widely circulated series of child pornography images, asking for the public’s help in locating the individuals.

Investigators believe the photos were taken about 11 years ago in the San Fernando Valley. They say the images show an unidentified man and woman sexually abusing a minor girl who is approximately 13 years old.

Advertisement

Prosecutors filed complaints charging John Doe, 40 to 50 years of age in the photos, and Jane Doe, 35 to 45, of child pornography production. The man’s face is obscured in the photos. The woman has a tattoo resembling a butterfly on her right hip, a curled-up cat on her right shoulder blade, as well as tattoos across the top of her left wrist and on her left breast.

Authorities said the photos are connected to more than 275 child pornography investigations across the country.

“The reality is, every time a photo or a video of an innocent child being sexually exploited is viewed, that victim is violated again,” said Claude Arnold, a special agent with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The suspects’ photos were made public as part of a nationwide announcement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities regarding “Operation Sunflower,” an initiative to identify and rescue victims depicted in child pornography. ICE officials said as part of the operation, which began in November, investigators identified 123 victims -– including five under the age of 3, nine between ages 4 to 6, and 21 between ages 7 to 9.

Anyone with information was asked to contact authorities at 1-866-DHS-2ICE or submit tips on-line at http://www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp.

ALSO:

Advertisement

Victim unmarried, so court tosses rape by impersonation conviction

Rare river otter a celebrity after settling near Golden Gate Bridge

Eight arrested in sophisticated plastic-theft ring

-- Victoria Kim

Advertisement