American TikTok blogger Carson Barry has been arrested on two criminal charges after law enforcement officials found child abuse material on his phone and accused him of harassing a minor, according to a report by People magazine.
The investigation into Barry began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip regarding his activities. Officers subsequently conducted a search of the blogger's house, seizing electronic devices for examination.
During a search of his phone, investigators discovered a video that showed an adult man committing violent acts of a sexual nature against a young child. According to investigators, Barry harassed a minor and attempted to coerce the child into engaging in sexual activity.
Bail conditions and potential sentence
As a result of the evidence gathered during the search, Barry was taken into custody and charged under two criminal statutes. If he is found guilty on both counts, he faces a sentence of up to 60 years in prison.
Barry was later released from custody after posting bail set at 1 million dollars, which equals approximately 84 million rubles. Court terms for his release require that he have no contact of any kind with the victim while proceedings continue.
Role of investigative organizations
The investigation was initiated following information handled by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The organization acts as a central clearinghouse for information about missing children and child sexual exploitation, working alongside American police forces to process tips regarding digital abuse and minor safety.
Barry established a prominent online presence on TikTok, the short-form video hosting service that allows users to broadcast content to global audiences. Reporting on his arrest was initially published by People, an American weekly entertainment and news magazine.
Recent reality television investigations
The case comes after separate reports that a star from the British version of the reality television show Married At First Sight was arrested on suspicion of rape. In that instance, police urged anyone who believes they were a victim of sexual violence during the filming of the reality series to contact investigators.
