A Florida couple has allegedly confessed to sexual battery on children between the ages of 10 months and 10 years and producing, transmitting, and possessing child pornography involving the children.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said that Nicholas Bassler Jr., 24, and Sierra Campany, 24, were both charged with capital sexual battery and face a mandatory sentence of life without parole if convicted, according to WFLA.
“What you’re looking at here is pure evil,” Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells said at a press conference on Wednesday.
The sheriff’s office said it received tips in June about child sex abuse material being transmitted on Facebook and launched an investigation, which led them to a home where Bassler and Campany lived and where they eventually executed a search warrant.
Among the items seized was a tablet and other electronic devices, where forensic investigators found images and videos of child sexual exploitation, including Bassler and Campany performing sex acts on three children, aged 10 months, 3 years, and 10 years.
Campany was arrested on September 14, and Bassler was arrested the following day. They are being held without bond.
Investigators believe there may be more victims, including possibly in New York where the couple traveled with one of the victims, and asks anyone with information to contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children detectives at 941-747-3011 ext. 2522.
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[Featured image: Sierra Campany and Nicholas Bassler Jr/Manatee County Sheriff’s Office]