Overview of the Case
A nonbinary transgender individual, formerly known as Maxwell and later Louis Whitaker in Mexico, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison following charges of producing and distributing child sexual abuse material. The sentencing includes a $10,000 fine and the requirement to register as a sex offender post-release.
Details of the Offense
Maxwell pleaded guilty on April 17 to attempting to produce child pornography. Originally a resident of Kansas City, they later moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. According to reports, the crimes involved creating sexually explicit videos with a minor over several months, both in Maxwell's home and a nearby park.
Role of Social Media Platforms
During the investigation, it was discovered that Maxwell earned between $3,000 and $10,000 monthly through subscriber payments predominantly on OnlyFans, where they uploaded about 20 videos portraying sexual activities with a minor. An infiltration of illegal content was found on Maxwell's devices including nearly 40 videos of child pornography and 96 videos involving the teenage victim. Additionally, financial records showed almost $50,000 earnings from their OnlyFans account and around $3,000 from another platform, JustForFans, which hosted over 150 videos, with 16 explicitly depicting sexual acts involving the minor.
International Cooperation in Arrest
The arrest was executed with the help of Mexican authorities, culminating in bringing Maxwell into custody following an indictment. This collaboration underscores the effectiveness of international law enforcement cooperation in apprehending individuals involved in cross-border criminal activities.
