Three Men Arrested In Online Child Exploitation Conspiracy

March 11, 2017

Three men have been arrested in an online child exploitation conspiracy using a social messaging app popular among teenagers.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was notified in January about the sexual abuse of a child under 12-years old.  Charles Hoyte McConnell III, age 22, was arrested for sexual assault, incest, cruelty towards a child/direct sexual performance by a child, and 18-counts of possession of child pornography.

During the investigation, deputies found out McConnell was using the “Kik” app to share a pornographic video of the sexual abuse.

Escambia investigators partnered with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and were able to arrest an Escambia County resident and a suspect from Santa Rosa County.

Jonah Authement, 22, was arrested in Escambia County after it was discovered he received the illegal pornographic video. He was charged with cruelty towards a child/promote sexual performance by a child and obscene communication/computer solicitation.

ICE and HSI arrested Santa Rosa County resident and Pace firefighter Danny Murphy on March 10th. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with conspiracy, receipt, and possession of child pornography.

The indictment alleges that, between November 2016 and January 2017, Murphy knowingly  conspired with others to participate in Kik instant messaging communications that distributed child pornography images and videos. The indictment further alleges that he received and possessed child pornography involving a minor under age 12. The defendant is currently being detained at the Santa Rosa County Jail.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said no further arrests are expected in the case.

Comments

13 Responses to “Three Men Arrested In Online Child Exploitation Conspiracy”

  1. Scottie Tomlinson on March 19th, 2017 6:55 am

    Quit argueing people. This is very serious and this isn’t to argue. It’s giving me a migraine already seeing the artical. This is what I don’t get. Everyone is so bent on saying things to cause riot instead of taking control and letting good choices. Like not controlling people so therr miserable or stopping rapist before this all is public… come on help me out people, lets stop molesters and controlling men like this and get a grip. :)

  2. Vm on March 15th, 2017 1:29 pm

    A first of all I never made any excuse to what these
    Men have done. What they did is wrong. I was referring
    To the one man I know he has children and I was
    Asking for people to pray for the children. Not any
    Of the men. Should go back and read that.

  3. A on March 15th, 2017 10:01 am

    Oh Vm… quit making excuses for this garbage!

  4. Cuz (Danny Hall) on March 12th, 2017 12:38 pm

    When they get to the “big house” (cross bar hotel) – They Do Not Like Child Molesters Those Convicts Will Take Care Of Them . . .

  5. mick on March 12th, 2017 9:08 am

    The devastation that these heinous acts leave in their wake…so many victims and scars for a lifetime.

  6. Vm on March 11th, 2017 10:09 pm

    I would like to say that yes what these men have
    Done is wrong. But I know one of these people
    And he has children please remember that they
    Have nothing to do with what is going on
    And they are having to deal with the possibility that
    They may never see or hear from him again
    So please pray for them and that they will be strong
    And pull through this thankyou

  7. anne 1of2 on March 11th, 2017 1:13 pm

    These rats destroy a lifetime happiness for the children. Boiling alive in oil should be the penalty for anyone hurting any child. This crime would stop after the first boiling.

  8. Betty on March 11th, 2017 12:56 pm

    Jail and prison will not be kind to child molesters…Big Bubba is happily waiting for them..

  9. Betty on March 11th, 2017 12:56 pm

    Jail and prison will not be kind to child molesters…Bif Bubba is happily waiting for them..

  10. Gregory Mcintosh on March 11th, 2017 11:12 am

    I wish someone would destroy there lives like they did those kids.

  11. Marie on March 11th, 2017 11:06 am

    These sickos should die! They should never be put back in society!

  12. mick on March 11th, 2017 10:49 am

    Say goodbye boys, prison bound and hopefully for long time. Disgusting vermin.

  13. Melodies4us on March 11th, 2017 10:32 am

    I wish they were dead.