child pornography

AppWizard

October 24, 2025

Messaging app allegedly used in Louisville sex crimes case described as a ‘Predator’s Paradise’

Kik, a Canadian messaging application, is facing scrutiny after allegations that a user, Michael Booth, distributed child pornography through the platform. A search warrant confirmed the distribution of illicit material via Booth's account, raising concerns over Kik's user anonymity, which allows users to create accounts with just an email address. Lily Moric from the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) criticized Kik as a "Predator’s Paradise," noting it facilitates connections between strangers and serves as a gathering place for sharing child sexual abuse material. In 2023, Kik was included in NCOSE’s Dirty Dozen list for companies perceived to profit from or facilitate sexual exploitation, with about 70% of its users aged 13 to 24. In response to criticism, Kik increased the minimum user age to 18 and removed a feature that promoted chatting with strangers, but critics doubt the effectiveness of these measures. In 2024, the internet safety app Bark identified Kik as having the most severe sexual content, underscoring ongoing concerns about accountability and safety in the tech industry.

AppWizard

October 9, 2025

Public Safety employee charged with child porn possession found through messaging app

Stephen E. Walker, a former member of the Bloomington Board of Public Safety, was arrested on October 2 for possession of child pornography following an investigation by the FBI that began in February. Walker, 34, previously worked for the Indiana Department of Correction for nearly nine years. The investigation stemmed from another suspect, identified as “BW,” who was arrested for distributing child pornography and revealed that he had shared explicit images of his 13-year-old stepdaughter with Walker via Kik Messenger. Between February 10 and 14, Walker received approximately 33 media files from BW, including five images classified as child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement traced Walker's Kik account and conducted a search of his residence and vehicle, seizing electronic devices for examination. Walker admitted to owning the Kik account and is currently under monitored conditional release with internet monitoring. His pretrial conference is set for November 11, 2025.

AppWizard

September 27, 2025

Polk County teacher accused of sending child pornography on messaging app

Eddie Chirino, a 34-year-old teacher from Tenoroc High School in Polk County, has been arrested for downloading and distributing child pornography, facing three counts related to promoting sexual performance by a child. The investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted local authorities. Chirino used the Kik messenger app for sharing illicit videos, and during a search of his home, detectives found marijuana and evidence of child pornography on his electronic devices, including videos and chat logs. He was taken into custody and is held at the Polk County Jail, with the school district confirming his termination. The Polk County Sheriff emphasized a zero tolerance policy toward child pornography, especially involving educators.

AppWizard

August 15, 2025

Man arrested for possession of child pornography after Kik Messenger investigation

Ryan Wayne Lawrence was arrested in Texas following an investigation into child exploitation on the Kik messaging platform. The arrest was based on an outstanding warrant related to child pornography charges. Kik reported 42 files that potentially contained child pornography, leading to a search warrant issued on March 31 for the account associated with the username “brutus198504.” A review of the materials revealed 95 videos and eight photographs, with 79 videos confirmed to depict child pornography. Investigators linked the Kik username to Lawrence, whose identity was confirmed through a comparison of his driver's license photograph. Lawrence has a prior harassment charge from 2021, and he is currently awaiting transport to the Howard County Jail after being magistrated with no bond set.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Feds say Ashland man had child porn on Telegram Messenger app. What’s next

Brent Vreeland, a 36-year-old resident of Ashland, has agreed to voluntary detention after a federal hearing on April 24, facing charges related to the distribution of child pornography via the Telegram Messenger app. He has been charged with one count of transportation of child pornography following an investigation that began last October. Vreeland was apprehended at his home after arriving at Logan International Airport in Boston from Reykjavik, Iceland. During a secondary screening, security personnel found suspected child pornography on his phone, leading to an alert for federal investigators. The investigation revealed that Vreeland had conversations on Telegram soliciting content involving minors and sent a video featuring a child as young as four years old to another user, with authorities discovering 30 media files depicting children in his direct messages. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of five to 20 years in federal prison, a 0,000 fine, and lifetime supervised release. He was ordered to be held without bail during his initial hearing.

AppWizard

March 17, 2025

South Jersey Man Shared Child Porn On Messaging App: Prosecutor

A 49-year-old resident of Millville, John Dunigan, has been arrested for distributing child pornography via the messaging app Kik, following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Authorities connected various IP addresses and email addresses to Dunigan during their investigation. A search warrant executed at his residence led to charges of first-degree distribution and second-degree possession of child sexual abuse material. Dunigan remains in custody at the Cumberland County Jail, with prosecutors seeking to ensure his continued detention.

AppWizard

March 9, 2025

Dagestan, Chechnya block Telegram messaging app

Authorities in Russia's Dagestan and Chechnya have banned the messaging app Telegram, citing concerns over its content moderation policies and the proliferation of extremist content. This decision is part of a broader trend of increasing governmental control over online communications in the region. Anton Nemkin from the State Duma expressed that Telegram's lax moderation poses a threat to public safety, and local official Gamzatov indicated there may be potential for the app's reinstatement in the future. The Russian government has previously blocked other messaging services like Signal and is considering actions against WhatsApp, while access to platforms like YouTube has also been restricted. Additionally, Telegram has faced scrutiny outside Russia, including a ban for officials in Ukraine due to national security concerns linked to its founder Pavel Durov.

AppWizard

February 28, 2025

N.J. teacher accused of uploading child pornography posed as a teen in chat app, officials say

Matthew Serwedes, a 48-year-old former technology educator from Union County, has been charged with second-degree distribution and third-degree possession of child sexual abuse material. He allegedly posed as a teenager on an encrypted messaging platform to engage with users and had uploaded images of child exploitation. The investigation began with a tip on December 5, 2024, leading authorities to trace videos of sexual abuse to Serwedes' IP address. During a search of his home, electronic devices were confiscated, and he admitted to owning the account used for the activities. Serwedes was placed on administrative leave from his teaching position, and the school district stated there is no evidence of student involvement. He remains in custody awaiting a detention hearing and plans to plead not guilty. Additionally, he wrote a six-page apology letter to the victims and their families.

AppWizard

February 15, 2025

Berkeley Twp Man Used Kik Messaging App To Send, Receive Child Porn: Prosecutor

Mario Calabrese, a resident of Berkeley Township, is under investigation for the distribution and possession of child pornography. He was reportedly sending and receiving illicit images through a KiK Messenger account. A court-authorized search warrant was executed at his residence on February 13, where forensic experts confirmed the presence of the Kik Messenger app on his devices. Calabrese was arrested without incident and faces charges of possession and two counts of distribution of child pornography. He is currently held at the Ocean County Jail awaiting a detention hearing.

AppWizard

November 15, 2024

Court records: Kanawha Co. man charged after sharing explicit videos of children on app

Dale Adam Barbour Jr., a 23-year-old resident of South Charleston, has been charged with the distribution of child pornography after an investigation revealed he shared explicit videos of minors on the Kik Messenger app. Authorities, acting on a tip, obtained a search warrant for the Kik application, which led to the discovery of ten videos depicting children in sexual acts. Barbour faces one count of felony distribution and exhibiting material that portrays minors in explicit conduct.