Man Arrested in Tenerife for Alleged Child Exploitation
The National Police have arrested a 27-year-old man in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on suspicion of offences including child corruption, child pornography, and sexual assault against a minor under 15 years of age. Judicial authorities have ordered him to be remanded in provisional custody.
Modus Operandi Revealed
According to the National Police, the suspect has an extensive criminal record for similar offences and consistently employed the same modus operandi: he located minors through social media, established contact, and gradually tried to earn their trust.
Mother’s Report Leads to Investigation
The investigation began last May, following a report from the mother of the victim in El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz. She alerted authorities that her daughter had met an older man online. The man had managed to gain her trust and persuaded her to send numerous sexual photographs and videos. Furthermore, the report stated that the suspect threatened to disseminate this material if the minor ceased complying with his demands.
Coercive Tactics Uncovered
Investigations revealed that once he obtained the initial files, the detainee allegedly used these images to coerce his victims into sending more content.
Over 18,000 Messages Found
Initial research efforts pinpointed the suspect’s location on the island of Tenerife, where he was eventually detained by National Police officers. Following his arrest, investigators examined his mobile phone and uncovered a significant amount of images and conversations exchanged via messaging apps. They discovered over 18,000 messages exchanged within a fortnight. According to the National Police, this large volume of communications highlighted the emotional dependency created and the control exercised by the suspect over the victim.
Control Over Victim’s Life
The investigation indicates that the detainee imposed strict guidelines regarding the victim’s clothing, her social interactions, and her activities on social media, demanding on several occasions that she block many of her friends. After being presented to the appropriate judicial authorities, he was placed in provisional custody.
