Prosecutors have accused an 18-year-old Coral Springs man of recording a sex act with a child and putting the video on Instagram.
The man allegedly engaged in sex with a girl, 13, at the child’s Coral Springs home on July 9 while another girl, 12, witnessed the acts, police said.
The man is accused of recording the encounter with his cellphone and later posting it on social media. He placed a smiley face icon over the girl’s face, according to police.
The video was later removed from Instagram, according to an arrest report.
The girl’s mother brought the child to the Coral Springs police station where they reported the incident.
The Broward State attorney’s office charged the man on Oct. 22 with two counts, lewd and lascivious battery upon a child and one count promoting a sex act by a child.
The man was arrested Sunday and is being held on a $50,000 bond. He must surrender his passport and may not apply for a new one.
Social media plays a big role in our everyday lives. We are on it to keep up with old friends, stay in touch with family, share pics and videos, and share what is happening in our lives – good and bad. Some people fail to realize how social media can go wrong, ultimately leading to criminal charges or even just used as evidence in a criminal prosecution.
Being charged with a sex crime is very serious, and when that crime is tethered to posts and interactions on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or another social media platform, things can become further complicated. Our South Florida Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton are tech-savvy and understand how social media applications are used in investigations. That is why we work with technology and computer experts to thoroughly evaluate the evidence involved in the case so that we can tailor a strong defense unique to the circumstances involved. We care about your future and will fight to protect your rights.
For a free consultation, call us today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online. We are available 24/7 to assist you.