Sheriff praises Instagram for saving young victim in child porn probe, slams Apple

LAKELAND, Fla. (CBS12) — One Florida sheriff praised Instagram for saving a young child from sexual abuse and slammed Apple as he announced the arrests of four men during an undercover investigation of child pornography.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd launched the investigation after the sheriff's office received tips from the National Center for Missing and Endangered Children about a number of people in the area who may be transmitting or downloading child pornography.

Investigators used search warrants to seize evidence and arrest 23-year-old Ian Gadd, of Lakeland; 18-year-old Melvin Lagos, Jr., of Davenport; 29-year-old Christian Pillot-Osorio, of Lakeland; and 23-year-old Billy "Jordan" Rose of Winter Haven.

During a news conference Friday afternoon, Sheriff Judd e said investigators found a young victim during the search of all the evidence from Gadd's home.

The sheriff said Gadd had sexually battered the young child at least 10 times.

"This is a very dangerous child predator," said Judd.

According to the sheriff, Gadd told investigators he stopped transmitting child porn because Instagram blocked him.

"So Instagram not only blocked him but they reported him to NCMEC as is required by federal law," said Judd. "I want to compliment Instagram today. Because they blocked him, because they reported him, we found a very young baby he was actively sexually battering and in fact had their photograph."

Gadd is facing 10 counts of capital sexual battery but could face more charges as the investigation moves forward.

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"Now I want to trash Apple for a minute," said Judd. "Last year I think they only reported 265 cases to NCMEC while Facebook reported like 20 million. Why Instagram reports. And Apple is obviously feeling the heat because, 'Oh, they're putting new algorithm and systems in place so they can better report.' I'd like the people at Apple to wonder how they'd feel if this guy had been sexually battering their very young little girl. Congratulations to Instagram for doing what was right. Because they did what was right, we stopped an ongoing activity where he was sexually battering a child."

The sheriff said Gadd groomed the little girl for three months before having sex with her for the first time.

Lagos faces 32 counts of enhanced possession of child pornography. Investigators found children as young as 8 being sexually battered. He told deputies he used Snapchat to transmit child pornography.

Pillot-Osorio is facing four counts of transmission of child pornography and 33 counts of enhanced possession of child pornography. His victims, according to the sheriff's office, are as young as five-months old.

Rose is being held on 38 counts of enhanced possession of child pornography on victims as young as two years old, according to the sheriff's office.