Child Porn Instagram Account Leads to Arrest of Three Minors in Pembroke Pines

Three Pembroke Pines minors -- a 13-year-old girl and two 12-year-old boys -- have been charged with electronic transmission of child pornography after they allegedly created an Instagram account that posted explicit photos of other minors in the Broward County area. Pembroke Pines Police say the account, which had around...

By Chris Joseph

February 13, 2015

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Three Pembroke Pines minors -- a 13-year-old girl and two 12-year-old boys -- have been charged with electronic transmission of child pornography after they allegedly created an Instagram account that posted explicit photos of other minors in the Broward County area.

Pembroke Pines Police say the account, which had around 500 followers, would ask for submissions from minors to send in explicit photos of friends and classmates in order to "expose" them.

According to a Pembroke Pines Police report, the Instagram posts included the victims' names as well as other personal information. Followers of the account then apparently harassed the victims by writing insulting and cruel comments on each post.

The Pembroke Pines Police Department says they began to investigate the account on December 1 and were eventually able to identify the three youths who created it. Because the three suspects are juveniles, police are withholding their names. Police did confirm that that the three are a girl and two boys. The suspects were arrested and charged Thursday morning.

What's also unknown at this time is how many victims there are. Pembroke Pines Police spokesperson Drew Jacobs said the victims are numerous but would not specify.

"This is an ongoing investigation" is all Jacobs could say at this time.

Meanwhile, police are asking parents to keep a close eye on their kids' online activities.

"The Pembroke Pines Police Department urges the community to pay close attention to their children's online activity," Sgt. Angela Goodwin said in a news release. "Anyone that transmits, downloads, or possesses images and/or videos which depict the exploitation of children/juveniles are subject to state and federal criminal charges."

Goodwin also asks any parents who think their child was a victim in this case to contact the Pembroke Pines Police Department or their local law enforcement agency.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Pembroke Pines Police Department at 954-431-2200, email to [email protected], or call Crimestoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

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