Meta-Linked Child Sex Abuse Probe, Attorney General Confirms Three Arrests
DEBARYLIFE – On Wednesday, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez the arrest of three individuals in connection with a statewide investigation that is currently underway into child sexual abuse that was made possible by a few social media messaging platforms.
The probe, dubbed “Operation MetaPhile” by Torrez, is related to a lawsuit his agency is currently pursuing against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent corporation of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
At a news conference held on Wednesday at the state Department of Justice’s office in Albuquerque, he stated that since December, department agents have gone undercover in order to track down “pedophiles and predators” who use the tech giant’s social media platforms “to hunt, groom, target and potentially victimize minor children.”
- Auto Insurance Shopping Rises in Response to Soaring Insurance Rates: Report
- Avoid These 7 Missteps When Refinancing to a Lower Mortgage Rate
- Rising Home Prices Amid Slight Mortgage Rate Dip: Analysis
- Fresno County’s Groundbreaking Initiative: $500 Monthly Payments in New Guaranteed Income Program, Here is Who is Eligible
- Unlocking Financial Freedom: 5 Reasons to Opt for Personal Loans in Credit Card Debt Repayment
Torrez disclosed that men from Farmington, Grants, and Roswell had been charged with felonies by his office. The accusations include trying to illicitly into a minor’s sexual space and soliciting children using electronic devices.
SEE MORE – D-25 State Senate Race Sees Two Johnston Men As Contenders
- Will Everyone Get a $12,000 Stimulus Check in 2024? Find Out Eligibility
- $6400 Stimulus Checks in 2024: What You Need to Know About Eligibility and Payment Dates
- IRS 4th Stimulus Check 2024: Comprehensive Guide to Eligibility and Payment Dates
- 3 Smart Moves to Make Once Your Savings Reach $50,000, Here Are Crucial Actions to Take
- 3 Effective Ways to Pay Off Student Loans on a $50K Salary or Less, Know Here!
Regarding the investigation, Torrez stated that his main takeaway was, “This is Mark Zuckerberg’s fault.”
The state Department of Justice filed a complaint against Zuckerberg’s Meta Platforms Inc. in December, claiming that the popular social media platforms employed by the firm intentionally encourage child sex abuse and the dissemination of child sex abuse content.
SEE MORE – Police Investigate Daylight Shooting, Man Fatally Shot In Southeast DC
Torrez stated on Wednesday that “parents should be aware of the real-world danger and harm in using these platforms” and that the company “puts profits over the safety of children.”
Among the men detained are the following:
Both Fernando Clyde, 52, and Marlon Kellywood, 29, are accused of trying to illicitly penetrate a minor’s genital system and soliciting a kid under the age of thirteen through the use of technological devices. They are said to have arrived at the Gallup motel with the purpose to rape a youngster, which is why they were both detained there on Tuesday.
Christopher Reynolds, 47, was taken into custody on April 23 on suspicion of using an electronic device to solicit a child under the age of thirteen.