A man from the Ostalbkreis district has been arrested under suspicion of watching and giving instructions on the sexual abuse of children in Asia through live online streams. The 60-year-old is now being investigated by the Baden-Württemberg Cybercrime Center in Karlsruhe and the Aalen Criminal Police for sexual abuse and exploitation of children and the production of child sexual abuse material.
According to investigators, the man from Ostalbkreis was not only watching live abuse of children in the Philippines but allegedly also provided instructions for the abuse to occur. Authorities have dismantled a pedophile network centered around a woman in the Philippines, who was reportedly offering live broadcasts of horrific acts of abuse in exchange for payment.
Crucially, the investigation and arrest was aided by CRC technology*. Devices seized by Philippine authorities played a critical role in tracking down the suspect in the Ostalbkreis district. The Baden-Württemberg State Criminal Police Office then took over the investigation. During a search of the 60-year-old’s apartment, several data storage devices were found and seized by investigators. Mike McGonigle, Director of Special Projects & Industry Outreach at CRC, commended the teamwork: “Great job by the Baden-Württemberg Cybercrime Center, the Aalen Criminal Police, and Philippine authorities. CRC remains dedicated to creating and providing technology that helps law enforcement identify, arrest, and prosecute live-stream offenders. We greatly appreciate our collaboration with our global law enforcement partners who are actively combating this form of child sexual abuse.”
The man is now in custody, and the children affected by the abuse in the Philippines are under the care of local authorities. Additionally, several other investigations are ongoing in Baden-Württemberg, targeting individuals who are also alleged to have watched live-streamed abuse from the same network in the Philippines. CRC technology continues to aid in identifying and apprehending those involved in these horrific crimes. Thank you to the Tim Tebow Foundation for your support and collaboration towards this arrest.
*Child Rescue Coalition (CRC):
- This organization provides free technology to law enforcement agencies to help protect children from Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and identify individuals involved in the possession and distribution of such material.
