An Alabama man is behind bars after a viral child pornography video he’s reportedly connected with resulted in FBI involvement and a nationwide search for him.
WBRL reports that Germaine Moore, 44, turned himself in to Millbrook police at around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, shortly after Central Alabama CrimeStoppers announced warrants against him on Monday. He’s charged with distribution of a video depicting sexual assault of a child and an additional charge sexual assault of a child. More charges may follow.
The victim has been located and is safe.
The video, uploaded and shared online, depicted a young girl that appeared to be between 4 to 6 years of age performing oral sex on an adult male. As the video quickly became viral, the FBI and police agencies nationwide intervened and warned others to stop sharing it.
Montgomery Police arrested and charged 42-year-old Jerrell Washington with distributing the video online before providing a stern warning that anyone who shares the video online is breaking the law and could be subject to felony charges.
According to Alabama State Bureau of Investigation Lt. Brooke Walker, Moore’s fiancé, Tonya Hardy, was detained for questioning, but she’s refusing to cooperate with the investigation. Authorities arrested her and charged her with hindering prosecution.
“She chose him over her children,” Walker added.
Authorities said that Moore was also wanted on numerous child sex assault charges out of Detroit, MI. According to court documents, he’s accused of sexually abusing children in his care while their mother worked.
“The children were in the care and custody of the defendant, their paternal uncle, while their mother worked,” Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Maria Miller said. “It is alleged the defendant sexually assaulted the children at this mother’s home in Detroit and at his home in Alabama.”
Authorities plan to extradite Moore to Detroit to face charges. It’s unclear whether he’ll face his charges in Alabama before or after extradition.
The victim, according to Walker, gave police a verbal statement and although she is physically safe, she’ll likely be traumatized her entire life.
“She’s got a long road ahead of her,” Walker said. “This poor little girl is going to be victimized by this the rest of her life.”
Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
[Feature Photo: Germaine Moore/Police Handout]
