Aura Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 (edited) A friend of mine--let's call her Zenobia--found a sd card with some inappropriate pictures on it. The sd card belonged to a former friend--let's call him Hugh--that she ended up cutting off because of his behavior. The pictures do not appear to be taken with permission! They include those of girls going to the bathroom. Most appeared to be at his former place of employment, and he would have had to hide and plan to get those pics. Zenobia knows most of these girls. At least one was/is a minor, 16 yo. Hugh no longer works at the place the where the pics were taken. Hugh also does not respond well to confrontation. What do you suggest Zenobia do? She hasn't really looked at all the pics, just enough to know what was going on (hiding the camera & taking pics when the girls went to bathroom, at least). There is no ownership info on the sd card...just pics. Should she turn in the card to the police? Should she contact the girls she knows that are in the pics and let them know what's on them? I'm going to call the non-emergency police number and ask them, but I am curious what the Hive thinks. UPDATE: So we went by the police station this evening. It wasn't open, but I talked to .someone through a speaker button, and he sent an officer to meet us in the parking lot. A bit different than I imagined, but okay. The officer was very supportive of Zenobia bringing the SD card to him, asked lots of questions, took lots of notes. He'll be passing the information to a detective who will be getting back in touch with Zenobia. It was definitely the right thing to do, and yes, they do take this kind of thing very seriously! I did find out that it's not photos but video, and at least one video includes one of Hugh himself setting up the phone and leaving it! The officer also found Hugh's (real) name to be familiar...not a good sign. The officer told Zenobia to go ahead and let the other people in video know and ask them to call in, too, but of course, to NOT tell Hugh. So, it's going to be a few days before anything else happens, but a case file has been opened, which is good! Edited March 10, 2018 by Aura 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I would get the police involved in that. I would not confront Hugh directly, Ick! 31 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joules Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I would definitely turn it over to the police and answer all of their questions calmly and honestly. This is too serious to let go or try to handle herself. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuddleJumper1 Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 (edited) I would have your friend contact police directly. I recently went through a talk shared by a detective who said sharing photos like that, even innocently with a friend for help, can be viewed by law enforcement as distribution of child porn since there is at least one minor. I would not contact anyone else involved in those pictures. Turn it all over to law enforcement. Edited March 9, 2018 by PuddleJumper1 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Police. No one else at this point. 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joules Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I would definitely turn it over to the police and answer all of their questions calmly and honestly. This is too serious to let go or try to handle herself. ETA: I agree that the friend should not tell or show the girls or their parents. The police need to handle that part, too. The friend can identify the girls she recognizes to the police, but they usually crop the pictures to just faces before they ask outsiders to identify. Seriously, the cops have a process that helps them get convictions. Letting them do their job greatly increases the chance that this guy gets off the streets! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joules Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I would have your friend contact police directly. I recently went through a talk shared by a detective who said sharing photos like that even innocently with a friend for help can be viewed by law enforcement as distribution of child porn since there is at least one minor. I would not contact anyone else involved in those pictures. Turn it all over to law enforcement. Yes! Once you see a minor, you close the files and go straight to the police. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aura Posted March 9, 2018 Author Share Posted March 9, 2018 Thanks, y'all. I texted her and told her to hold off on telling the other girls...but she's at work, too. I also tried the police, but no one picked up. :glare: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Police... wow...that's a sucky thing to discover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaraby Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Police. I’d walk that down to the police department myself if needs be. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Yep. Police. ASAP. And don't tell anyone lest they tip him off. I'm guessing he has worse on the computer. ETA: Don't give him time or opportunity to purge the rest of what he has by talking about it with anyone. The perv needs to be arrested. Agreed! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nixpix5 Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Police and do not let anyone know until they have it. That is terrible. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom25girls Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I agree with dropping it off with the police. Please protect yourself and don't get directly involved. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom25girls Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I agree with dropping it off with the police. Please protect yourself and don't get directly involved. Hugs. This must be upsetting and I'm sorry that you're dealing with this situation. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Police stations have security cameras; the person should not just drop the phone off without identifying herself and how she got possession of the phone, otherwise the police will bring her in for questioning and she may even be a suspect. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Anyone else open this thinking, it was going to be a kid or a dh looking at inappropriate stuff online? Not that that isn't bad, but whoa, so much worse. I'm glad the police are being contacted. I feel like this is one of the things that has been in the news lately where people rarely get off (unlike other forms of sexual assault and harassment in the workplace which is often not dealt with as swiftly). Thank goodness you've got the evidence. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 100% turn it into police 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Anyone else open this thinking, it was going to be a kid or a dh looking at inappropriate stuff online? Not that that isn't bad, but whoa, so much worse. I'm glad the police are being contacted. I feel like this is one of the things that has been in the news lately where people rarely get off (unlike other forms of sexual assault and harassment in the workplace which is often not dealt with as swiftly). Thank goodness you've got the evidence. I totally thought this was going to be a "how do I handle this with my teen" question. I always read those because you never know, and there's a lot of wisdom here any one of us could end up needing at some point. But this! Ack!! I'm glad the OP is getting unanimous advice. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbecueMom Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Take it to the police, during normal business hours (like right now) in case they have detectives who handle crimes like this. The department I used to work for had a detective that had specific training in handling electronic or Internet sex crimes against minors. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsuga Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Thanks, y'all. I texted her and told her to hold off on telling the other girls...but she's at work, too. I also tried the police, but no one picked up. :glare: Can you submit an online report? Go in person? I would probably be willing to get involved. I know it can be linked to organized crime but if my friend did not get it done, I would do it. It is too important. Things like this are usually tip of the iceberg. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I would get the police involved in that. I would not confront Hugh directly, Ick! This. Today. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Yes, police. Give them time to get warrants for home and work. And, in the meantime, keep quiet. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Police. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I agree with everyone. This is for police to handle and to do any confronting of Hugh and notifying of victims. The friend should not get involved with anything other than handing the phone / SD card and answering any questions they might have about Hugh. Getting involved is important for the victims but only if it is done in the right way (ie. telling the police and letting them handle it). Otherwise, there can be unintended mess that hurts rather than helps. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Well, unless he is in the pictures too how is anyone going to prove that he is the one that took the pictures? I would definitely still tell my friend to turn it over to the police and tell NO ONE ELSE, but I wouldn't expect some sort of arrest or search warrant. But at least he will now be on their radar. Or he might already be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Police. This is a crime. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsuga Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Well, unless he is in the pictures too how is anyone going to prove that he is the one that took the pictures? I would definitely still tell my friend to turn it over to the police and tell NO ONE ELSE, but I wouldn't expect some sort of arrest or search warrant. But at least he will now be on their radar. Or he might already be. They can use a warrant precisely to determine who owned and operated the SIM card at the time the photos were taken, who owns the cloud storage, etc. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 They can use a warrant precisely to determine who owned and operated the SIM card at the time the photos were taken, who owns the cloud storage, etc. Hmm. I guess. But I will be surprised they do that unless he is already on their radar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Hmm. I guess. But I will be surprised they do that unless he is already on their radar. I would be surprised if they didn't. Crimes against children are taken very seriously by the police in my area (and Tsugas). So are voyeuristic crimes. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Hmm. I guess. But I will be surprised they do that unless he is already on their radar. when the phone/sd card are taken to the police station - he'll be on their radar. the police will have enough to get a warrant. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I would be surprised if they didn't. Crimes against children are taken very seriously by the police in my area (and Tsugas). So are voyeuristic crimes. Well good. I agree they should be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aura Posted March 9, 2018 Author Share Posted March 9, 2018 Thanks again, everyone! We're going down to the police station once she gets off work. I'll let you know how that goes. 24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acadie Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Doesn't the FBI get involved with crimes involving images of minors? Or maybe that's only if images have been sent by internet or text to someone else. Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Doesn't the FBI get involved with crimes involving images of minors? Or maybe that's only if images have been sent by internet or text to someone else. Amy The local police will involve any agencies that need to be involved. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMD Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I'm so glad she's taking it to the police. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Glad she is doing that. Sadly I know more than I ever wanted to but the special victims unit can do a lot with determining who had access to what, when, where, etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Glad she's doing that. It's best if she does it herself rather than you doing it for her. Otherwise, it might look to the police like she is the perp. Please keep us updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El... Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I'm glad you are taking it to the police. That is definitely the right thing to do. And I'm glad your friend has you, to go with her. Two are better than one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
displace Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Hope it goes as smoothly as possible. What a horrible situation but it’s good she can be in a position to help prevent it from happening again to other people. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Thanks for keeping us updated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Thank you for the update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Thank you for the update — I’m glad you went with your friend and that the police officer was so helpful and nice. It’s creepy that the guy is someone the police already know about. I hope the info you gave the police tonight will help them arrest and convict “Hugh.†1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 a video of himself setting up the camera. .. . . not the brightest bulb, but given his choices, no one would think he was. I hope no one lets slip to him that the police will be coming for him - or he'll probably run. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Thanks for the update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 That is awesome he is in the video setting it up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_in_Switzerland Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Thank you for the update. You absolutely, absolutely, did the right thing!!! I agree with Scarlett, it's great that there is a video of him setting up the camera. What an f***ing moron, in additional to being a creepy criminal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Wow. So glad you took it to the police. That's a horrible crime. What a sicko. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsuga Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 So glad you guys did this! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acadie Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 The local police will involve any agencies that need to be involved. Absolutely--I didn't mean to suggest contacting anyone other than local police, but simply to underline how serious the crime is. Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Thank you for the update. You absolutely, absolutely, did the right thing!!! I agree with Scarlett, it's great that there is a video of him setting up the camera. What an f***ing moron, in additional to being a creepy criminal. Agree! Perhaps one day he'll turn up in a video montage of Stupid Criminals. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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