Latest news with #NationalCenterForMissingAndExploitedChildren
ABC News
23-05-2025
- ABC News
Perth man James Paul Ellis-Kendrick accused of posing as juvenile to manipulate underage girls
A 20-year-old man accused of posing as a juvenile online to manipulate three underage girls into sending him explicit images is free on bail as he awaits his next court appearance. James Paul Ellis-Kendrick from the northern Perth suburb of Carramar is accused of lying about his age and sexually exploiting children online. He allegedly engaged in sexually explicit conversations with three girls under the age of 16 on an instant messaging app. Police allege that after the victims sent images, he tried to manipulate them into sending more, and threatened to screenshot images sent by one girl when she refused. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said it started its investigation after receiving a report from the National Center For Missing And Exploited Children in the United States. After a six month investigation, Mr Ellis-Kendrick was arrested at his home in April and his mobile phone and computer was seized. He appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday morning, but was not required to plea to his three charges. The court heard that further analysis of Mr Ellis-Kendrick's devices was needed and the appropriateness of the charges in their current form had to be considered. Mr Ellis-Kendrick is scheduled to return to court in July. One of the charges he is facing carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. In announcing the arrest, AFP Inspector Shona Davis said parents needed to be diligent about their children speaking to strangers online. "They need to be reminded to never reveal personal information to anyone they communicate with online,'' she said.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- CBS News
Chicago Heights city employee extradited to Illinois on child pornography charges
A Chicago Heights city employee was in custody in Will County on Wednesday after being arrested on child pornography charges last month. Jasen Zurisk, 49, of Beecher, was booked into the Will County Adult Detention Facility on Tuesday, according to the Will County Sheriff's office. The sheriff's office said the investigation began on Jan. 22, when police in Oak Lawn contacted the Will County Sheriff's office about a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. On March 4, a search warrant was executed at Zurisk's home, and multiple electronic devices were seized, police said. On April 29, an arrest warrant was issued for Zurisk. Zurisk was taken into custody at 4:25 p.m. in Merrillville, Indiana, the sheriff's office said. He was charged with six counts of possession and sale of child pornography. He was held at the Lake County Jail in Indiana until his extradition to Will County, Illinois, on Tuesday of this week. CBS News Chicago has confirmed Zurisk works as the maintenance director of south suburban Chicago Heights.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Florida man, 35, charged for sexually exploiting Utah girl via social media
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. SALT LAKE CITY () — A Florida man is facing several charges in Utah after allegedly communicating with a young girl through social media and continuing to communicate with her after knowing she was a minor. Officials have requested that a no-bail arrest warrant be issued. Matthew Nicholas Menard, 35, is facing six charges, including two counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, both first-degree felonies; one count of enticement of a minor, a class A misdemeanor; and three counts of criminal solicitation, all class A misdemeanors. Charging documents allege that Menard — who 'has no connection to Utah' — was communicating with a girl in Utah who was reported missing in April 2025. Menard was identified after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children found a social media account for the victim that showed she was communicating with the suspect. Woman charged for allegedly trying to hit police officer with car '[Menard] verified at different points throughout his conversation with [the victim] that he was aware [she] was a minor,' charging documents state. Documents allege that Menard had asked if the victim was 'secretly 15,' to which she reportedly said '[y]eppers I'm actually in middle school.' Documents also said that Menard's conversations with the victim were 'largely sexual in nature.' Even after learning that the girl was underage, Menard continued with the sexual conversations and asked the victim to send him inappropriate photos and videos. Charging documents said Menard and the victim 'discussed in detail about meeting each other in Las Vegas.' The suspect reportedly communicated with the victim while he was based in Florida. Charges were filed on Friday, May 16. The State of Utah has requested that a no-bail arrest warrant be issued and said Menard 'is a substantial danger to other people in the community.' There is no further information at this time. Florida man, 35, charged for sexually exploiting Utah girl via social media Republicans advance Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' in unusual late-night vote 1 killed, 1 injured in weather-related crash on U.S. 6 Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer: What is it? Search continues for escaped inmates following New Orleans jailbreak Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ohio honors Missing Persons Day with Dayton vigil and event
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – The Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) held an open-house and public vigil to remember Ohio's missing persons. The annual Missing Persons Day Event was held on Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wright State University's Neuroscience Engineering Collaborative Building. The event serves to both give space for families who have missing loved ones to find community and to raise awareness for missing/unidentified persons cases. Dayton police seek help finding two missing kids under 4 Representatives from BCI's Missing Persons Unit, Ohio Crisis Response Team, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and local law enforcement members were present at the event. According to an estimated 22,374 Ohioans went missing in 2023. Authorities reported that 98% of missing children were – 17,033 of them – were received safely in 2023. The data for the Miami Valley in 2023 is as follows: To view the full 2023 Missing Child Reports by Media Market data, click here. The 24-hour, toll-free, Missing Persons Unit hotline is 800-325-5604. The full database of Ohio missing persons is available here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
