New Mexico’s Attorney General Raúl Torrez recently announced charges against three men accused of using Meta’s social media platforms to target and solicit sex with underage children. The arrests came after a monthslong undercover operation by the state Department of Justice, where suspects communicated with decoy accounts. The investigation began after the state filed a lawsuit against Meta for failing to ensure children’s safety on its platforms. Torrez expressed concern over how easily these individuals found the undercover personas and placed blame on Meta executives, suggesting the company prioritizes profits over protecting children.
Torrez criticized Meta, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, for failing to take necessary steps to prevent predators from finding and interacting with children on its apps. Meta disputed the allegations, stating they use technology to prevent suspicious adults from interacting with children and work with law enforcement to prosecute offenders. The company has also hired child safety experts, reports content to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and shares information to help root out predators. Despite ongoing efforts by the state attorney general’s office to identify predators, it’s unclear if this will impact the civil litigation against Meta.
New Mexico’s lawsuit against Meta alleges that internal documents suggest about 100,000 children are subjected to sexual harassment daily on the company’s platforms. The three defendants in the criminal case have been identified as Fernando Clyde, Marlon Kellywood, and Christopher Reynolds, facing charges including child solicitation by an electronic communication device. Prosecutors are seeking to detain them pending trial, but court hearings have not been scheduled. Attorneys for Clyde and Kellywood were not listed in court records, and the public defender’s office is representing Reynolds, awaiting response regarding the case.
The arrests in New Mexico highlight the ongoing issue of online predators using social media platforms to target children. The state’s attorney general’s office continues to work on identifying predators, emphasizing the importance of protecting children online. The criminal case against the three defendants underscores the severity of the charges and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such incidents. The investigation has revealed the vulnerabilities in platforms like Meta and the challenges law enforcement faces in combatting online predators seeking to exploit minors.
As the case unfolds, there is a broader conversation about accountability for social media companies and their role in protecting children from harm. Meta’s response to the allegations raised by New Mexico prosecutors indicates the ongoing efforts to address child safety concerns on its platforms. The civil lawsuit against Meta may prompt further discussions on enhancing safety measures for children online and holding tech companies accountable for facilitating interactions that endanger minors. The outcome of the criminal case against the accused individuals will shed light on the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts in combating online child exploitation.
