(FeaturedNews.com) – Child predators are among the worst criminals in the legal system. But, once law enforcement locks them up, officials must continue to build strong cases against them, which sometimes requires help from the public.
The FBI requests victims to step forward in a child pornography case of a Cypress, TX man. A federal grand jury indicted 37-year-old Patrick Tran for the possession and production of child pornography.
#SEEKINGVICTIMS The #FBI is seeking the public's help identifying underage child exploitation victims. Patrick Tran aka Reggie Smith allegedly enticed hundreds of underage girls online for more than 10 years. If you or someone you know is a victim, visit https://t.co/iSSqYmPJgW
— FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) February 22, 2022
The FBI issued a questionnaire asking for information about victims to identify the over 100 minors in the photos and videos collected by Tran. Agents encourage anyone who has been a victim or is the parent/guardian of a victim to submit the questionnaire.
The suspect allegedly used fake profiles on Snapchat, Omegle, and other social media sites to connect with hundreds of victims over ten years. He would coerce the children into making pornographic videos. He would use the alias Reggie Smith and handle Travis_Story20. Tran portrayed himself as a shirtless black male wearing sunglasses and a necklace.
Law enforcement was able to catch the child predator after a mother reported his interaction with her 10-year-old daughter. Tran remains in custody pending court proceedings after US Magistrate Judge Andrew M. Edison declared him a danger to the public. He faces life in prison upon conviction.
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