California man accused of grooming Indiana children for child porn
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (WISH) — A 24-year-old California man is in custody after being accused of grooming dozens of children across the country for child pornography.
Investigators released a list of where the children were from and their ages; 11 of the children are in Indiana. He was booked at the Sacramento County Jail on Tuesday.
A video from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office shows deputies serving a search warrant at the Sacramento home of Demetrius Davis in December. They found evidence on his devices.
Deputies say they got a tip that an online account was uploading material involving child sex abuse.
Investigators think Davis created a fake online persona as a child named “Lizzy” then used a number of accounts to make friends with the children and groom them, asking them to do sexual acts and send him videos.
Police say they’ve identified more than 80 children in the country and a map provided by the sheriff’s office shows at least 11 in Indiana.
Former FBI agent Doug Kouns says it can be easy for child predators to make these connections. “There are messenger apps on almost every one of the profiles that you can send direct messages to and you can get that toe in the door and then the foot and then the whole leg and so on and that’s how it happens,” Kouns said.
Deputies say most of the children are from 6 to 13 years old.
“Some of these kids were 6 years old. They may not even know that this is inappropriate. You know? Their friend asked them to do it, so they did,” Kouns said.
Investigators think Davis communicated with more than 100 children between late 2020 and December. He was booked at the Sacramento County Jail on Tuesday. Kouns says there are preventative measures.
“Start early and have an age-appropriate conversation explaining what the dangers are, what the boundaries are for their use of the internet and their phones and social media. Check their browsing history. Let them know that you’re going to check their browsing history. It doesn’t have to be a secret,” Kouns said.
According to Sacramento County jail records, Davis is not allowed to post bail. He’s due in court on Thursday, April 28.
The sheriff’s office asks that if you think your child has been in contact with or sent elicit pictures to a person named Lizzy that you call the police.