East Syracuse, N.Y. - A man was arrested Wednesday after an investigation found he raped an 8-year-old child and shared sexually explicit videos of the victim in social media messages, troopers said.
State Police were alerted Tuesday when a video of the child discovered online was sent to the State Police Computer Crimes Unit, troopers said in a news release.
Investigators uncovered sexually explicit videos uploaded to social media messaging apps, said Trooper Jennifer Jiron, a spokesperson for State Police.
The accused rapist, Denzel M. Williams, 25, was known to the victim’s family, Jiron said. Troopers did not reveal if the victim was a boy or a girl.
The investigation determined that Williams had engaged in sexual acts with the victim in an East Syracuse residence, Jiron said. It happened on more than one occasion, she said.
Williams, an East Syracuse resident, was arrested and charged with:
- Two counts, first degree rape
- Two counts, use of a child in a sexual performance
- Two counts, promoting a sexual performance by a child
Williams is being held in the Onondaga County Justice Center. His bail was set at $500,000 bond or $100,000 cash, according to jail records.
Crime and public safety articles
- Police identify man found dead in house fire in Camillus
- Syracuse’s old parking ticket holders get more time to catch a break on paying fines
- Woman alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted, sues DA’s Office, former top prosecutor
- Syracuse lawmakers delay vote on removing license plate readers over privacy concerns
- Oswego city officer arrested, suspended after deputies say he punched girlfriend during argument
