Child victims rescued in Oklahoma, Missouri and even Norway
BROKEN ARROW, Oklahoma – FBI investigation into Broken Arrow man leads to rescue of child exploitation victims and arrests in the United States and Norway.
Federal agents allege that Cameron Kelly McAbee, 31, was a director of a transnational child exploitation discussion group. In August, prosecutors charged him in a federal indictment with:
- child exploitation business;
- sexual exploitation of a child by a parent;
- receiving and distributing child pornography,
- and possession of child pornography in Indian country.
As part of the investigation, the FBI and task force partners arrested six people. They also rescued child victims in Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Arkansas, Missouri and Norway.
“Cameron McAbee was reportedly an online administrator for a social media group whose entry criteria were to have a child available for sexually abusing and photographing,” Acting US Attorney Clint Johnson said. “My office and our law enforcement partners will continue to expose those involved in this secret group and identify and rescue child victims.”
“FBI agents in Tulsa and Atlanta, along with task force partners have discovered, investigated and ultimately neutralized an international cabal of suspected child predators,” said Acting Special Agent Alvin M. Winston. from the FBI in Oklahoma City. “The threat Mr. McAbee and his partners posed to children around the world was thwarted by the tireless dedication of FBI investigators who joined forces with detectives from the Tulsa and Broken Arrow Police Department. It is only through strong partnerships with the police that law enforcement can remain unified and effective in the global fight to bring child predators to justice. “
Child exploitation investigation
On July 13, 2021, the FBI discovered an online newsgroup that shared child pornography. Authorities have determined McAbee to be an administrator, according to court documents.
To become a member of this focus group, the FBI said an individual had to show photographic evidence that they had access to a child. Authorities believe this requirement was aimed at sharing child pornography.
Ongoing access to the group required members to produce and share images and videos of members sexually abusing children.
On July 24, authorities allege that McAbee posted a “live photo” to the group depicting child sexual abuse.
On July 26, 2021, the FBI linked the administrator account to McAbee and his Broken Arrow address and executed a search warrant on the residence the same day.
McAbee interview with the FBI
According to the Northern Oklahoma District Justice Department office, McAbee agreed to an interview with FBI agents. He is said to have confirmed that he occupied an administrative position in several groups. This included a specially designed to share explicit images and videos of children to which members had physical access.
McAbee also told the FBI he traded child sexual abuse images that would be considered child pornography. According to the Justice Department, this included the sexually explicit “live” image he sent of a child to the online discussion group on July 24, 2021.
Defendants in the case
The defendants arrested as part of the investigation are:
- Cameron McAbee of Broken Arrow (FBI Arrest)
- Eric McCants of San Antonio, Texas (FBI arrested)
- Michael McClure of DeFuniak Springs, Florida (FBI arrested)
- Jeffrey Prowant of Stone County, Missouri (FBI Arrested)
- James Ray Bickerstaff of Siloam Springs, Arkansas (Arkansas arrest)
Law enforcement authorities in Norway arrested an anonymous person. The authorities say they were able to bring the child victims to safety. The FBI is still investigating leads in at least four other states linked to the case.
“An indictment is only an accusation. The accused are presumed innocent unless and until their guilt is proven ”, says the Northern Oklahoma District Justice Department’s office.
The FBI Field Office in Oklahoma City (Tulsa Resident Agency), the FBI Field Office in Atlanta, the Broken Arrow Police Department, and the Tulsa Police Department are investigating. Assistant US Attorney Christopher J. Nassar is prosecuting defendants residing in the Northern District of Oklahoma.
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