Detroit man linked to child porn video on Facebook in custody in Alabama
DETROIT (WJBK) - A man wanted in connection with a child pornography video circulating Facebook has been identified as a man with Detroit ties after a multi-state investigation. Germaine Moore, 44, is in custody in Alabama after turning himself in to police overnight, according to Central Alabama CrimeStoppers.
Over the past few days, a video showing a sex act with a child has been shared on Facebook by many, in the effort to get the suspect identified and caught. Unfortunately, authorities say watching and sharing that video is also considered a crime.
Investigators say the child in the video has been identified and is safe.
Meanwhile, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office in Michigan announced Monday evening Moore is facing multiple charges in Detroit, including four counts of criminal sexual conduct. Prosecutor Kym Worthy says the victims are all from Detroit, and are under 12 years old. Moore is expected to be extradited from Alabama.
A news release says the crimes occurred over a six-year span. From 2011- 2017 authorities say Moore would watch these young girls while their mother was at work. Worthy says the abuse happened at a home in Detroit, and at Moore's home in Alabama.
It is alleged he would rape the girls, record it and share the videos online. On Friday, we are told a police report was made in Detroit by the victims' family with those allegations.
Sources say videos may have been circulating for a year or longer before Detroit Police were made aware.
Which begs the question -- what do you do if you inadvertently come across child pornography?
Law enforcement agencies across the country warned viewing and sharing the video is a criminal offense, no matter the intention.
If you come across an illegal video like that, delete it, and submit a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Many are also wondering how Facebook has allowed such videos to be shared, and if the tech company should be held responsible in the video's distribution. The videos were mostly shared directly through Facebook's private messenger.
Meanwhile, we're told Moore's fiance has also been arrested for interfering with the police investigation. We're told one other man has also been arrested in connection with this case, for helping distribute the explicit video. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.
This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 2 for updates.