A Raleigh man faces federal charges for what the FBI described as 'morally reprehensible' crimes involving children.
Andrew Swenson is charged with sexually soliciting a minor online and traveling to sexually abuse a minor.
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Federal investigators said Swenson made plans to drive to a 13-year-old girl's home in Nebraska, pick her up, and bring her to North Carolina to sexually abuse her. Swenson, 42, met the girl on Zangi and Discord and convinced her to send images of herself.
When the FBI went to Swenson's home, his roommate said that Swenson routinely travels out of town to have sex with what Swenson said were women, according to investigators. Bags containing rope, zip ties and duct tape were found in Swenson's bedroom.
The FBI also discovered that Swenson had recently met a woman on the internet who had an infant baby, traveled to visit her in New York, and produced images and videos of him sexually abusing the baby.
“Those who prey on children and solicit them to produce child abuse sexual material are morally reprehensible and will be held accountable for their heinous crimes,” said Reid Davis, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina. “The FBI remains committed to protecting our children.”
Swenson is charged with coercion and enticement of a minor and production of child pornography and faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted of all charges.
Deana Joy, the CEO of Children's Advocacy Centers of North Carolina, says this case bears familiar hallmarks of human trafficking, and other child abuse cases.
She says it should serve as a reminder for parents to keep tabs on children’s online habits and behavior.
“I do think that it's important for parents to know that it's not just these two apps. It's truly any application, any gaming platform, any online activity that your child is engaged in is a danger to them, and it's really important that we are monitoring them on all of those applications at all times,” Joy said.
She added parents should watch out if their children all of a sudden are quickly closing apps or turning their phone off when you come in the room.
"If they're refusing to share account information with you or passwords to their devices with you; if they refuse to speak with you about their online activity, or you see them spending an increasing amount of time online,” she continued.