A Texas man is in federal custody after being arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a toddler in a shopping mall bathroom and posting the video online.
Four short videos showed two young 2-year-olds being sexually assaulted by multiple perpetrators. court documents Retrieved by ABC 13 States.
Prosecutors believe the disturbing video was shot at The Galleria shopping mall in Houston.
Arthur Fernandez III, a 29-year-old mall kiosk worker, said that when his mother, both mall employees, asked to watch her toddler while she was at work, she sometimes left him with her. It is reported that he is now able to meet with his children.
ABC13 said, “During that time, Fernandez took the child into the bathroom, assaulted him, and videotaped him.”
The shocking video showed at least seven people making “vulgar comments” and assaulting children, but Fernandez is the only one charged so far.
FBI Special Agent Torrence White declined to comment on the details of the case, but warned viewers of the show that most child predators are people they already know.
“The perpetrators of these crimes are family members, teachers, and people in the community. Often people are looking for a monster in a white van, and often it's someone you know.” said Mr. White.
According to the FBI, the Australian Child Sex Crimes Investigation Group discovered a video circulating on the dark web and issued a warning.
The department identified one of the victims in the video through social media and contacted the mother, who was able to learn the following: identify Fernandez's jewelry and shoes were caught on camera, USA Today reports.
Further investigation revealed that the second victim was a relative of Fernandez's ex-boyfriend. The toddler's mother also identified the suspect based on what she was wearing, but the other perpetrators have not yet been identified.
Mr White said international cooperation was needed to solve these horrific incidents.
“The more we do, the more we stop, the more hurt we cause and the more we identify people who are trying to harm our children,” the agent said.
Fernandez's home was searched by the FBI and electronic devices and clothing believed to match those seen in the recording of the attack were seized.
Fernandez was arrested and charged with child sexual exploitation in December and remains in federal custody.
“The evidence in this case is overwhelming and revolting,” the judge wrote in a court order to keep the suspect in custody pending trial. “I cannot condone (him) abusing other minors, and there is no condition or combination of conditions that can reduce the risk to the community. This is not a close call.”
