MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has arrested a 17-year-old after he reportedly shared child pornography with others in exchange for a higher rank in a video game.
The investigation started on Nov. 8, 2024, when detectives with MCSO’s Major Crimes Unit received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that indicated a user had uploaded multiple files of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to Discord.
For those unfamiliar with Discord, it is an internet-based communications application heavily favored by video gamers. You can make calls, send direct messages, and more. Think of it as a more modern version of Skype.
Detectives then submitted a series of subpoenas and search warrants, which traced the account back to 17-year-old Brayan Alvarez-Torres.
A second tip from NCMEC reported that Alvarez-Torres had sent messages in a group chat that stated he owned CSAM.
MCSO then traveled to Carlton Arms of Ocala, the apartment complex where Alvarez-Torres reportedly resided. They knocked on his front door and were greeted by his parents. After talking with them, it was determined that Alvarez-Torres was the sole owner of the account.
Detectives then talked with Alvarez-Torres. He admitted to downloading CSAM material because fellow Discord users had promised that they would gain “rank” for him if he sent them the material.
He further admitted to detectives possessing more than 30 files of CSAM on his phone, which MCSO says will likely result in additional charges following an examination of the device.
Detectives arrested Alvarez-Torres and transported him to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
He is charged with four counts of Possession of Child Pornography and one count of Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony.