Source: United States Department of Justice News
Investigation Leads to Additional Arrests and the Rescue of More Than 20 Child Victims
A Broken Arrow man who sexually exploited a young child and was an administrator for a transnational child exploitation chat group pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
The investigation into Cameron Kelly McAbee, 32, and the chat group led to the identification of 20 other alleged child predators from the United States, Australia, Canada, and Norway and the rescue of more than 20 children.
“Through an extensive investigation by the FBI and our task force partners, Cameron McAbee and a group of 20 other predators have been identified and will face justice in their respective jurisdictions for the trauma they have caused to children,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners in Oklahoma and across the nation will continue to identify, track, arrest and prosecute pedophiles who harm the most vulnerable among us.”
“This predator participated in a child exploitation enterprise that, through shocking and heartbreaking means, caused irreparable harm to many child victims,” said Special Agent in Charge Edward Gray of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. “The vile actions committed by the defendant and his cohort of predators will no longer go undetected, and thanks to the painstaking, tireless efforts of this investigative and prosecution team, the defendant will be held accountable to the fullest extent.”
McAbee pleaded guilty to child exploitation enterprise, sexual exploitation of a child by a parent; receipt and distribution of child pornography; and possession of child pornography in Indian Country.
In his plea agreement, McAbee admitted that from July 1, 2019, to July 26, 2021, he knowingly engaged in a child exploitation enterprise, taking part in a series of felony violations comprised of more than three separate incidents, involving more than one victim, and in concert with more than three other people.
McAbee admitted to being an administrator of online messenger platform group chats where members of the group exchanged numerous images and videos depicting the rape and molestation of children. He stated that the groups involved at least 21 members and at least eight child victims. As part of gaining access to one of the groups, members were required to show proof of access to a child victim and were expected to share images and videos of the sexual abuse of that child to maintain access to the group, as well as other images and videos of child sexual abuse obtained elsewhere. McAbee admitted to being partly responsible for confirming a prospective member’s access to a child victim and admitting them to the group. McAbee also admitted that from July 1, 2019, to July 26, 2021, he had a minor engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions that he would sometimes share in the group chats.
On July 13, 2021, the FBI discovered the online chat group and began an investigation. According to court documents, the FBI believed a specific account, later linked to McAbee, was an administrator and observed that gaining membership in the group required showing photographic proof of having access to a child for the suspected purpose of sharing child sexual abuse material. Continued access to the group required members to produce and share images and videos of the members sexually abusing children. On July 24, 2021, McAbee posted a “live photo” to the group depicting the sexual abuse of a child he had access to.
On July 26, 2021, the FBI linked the administrator account to McAbee and his Broken Arrow address and executed a search warrant at the residence. He was taken into custody the same day.
The FBI Oklahoma City Field Office (Tulsa Resident Agency), FBI Atlanta Field Office, Broken Arrow Police Department, and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar is prosecuting the case.
See previous press release announcing charges here
This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.