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MABALACAT, Philippines (AP) — Authorities in the Philippines have arrested an American suspected of exploiting dozens of Filipino children using webcams to sell videos, images and livestreams.
David Timothy Deakin's arrest April 20, and the rescue of two girls, is one of the largest seizures of potentially illicit digital content in the Philippines. Authorities are reviewing about 30 hard drives, as well as numerous computers, to find suspected buyers and victims.
Deakin has been charged with cybercrime, child pornography, child abuse and child trafficking. The 53-year-old suspect originally from Peoria, Illinois, has been in the Philippines since 2000. He told The Associated Press he didn't make videos of children. Webcam child abuse is increasing rapidly in the Philippines, with a growing pool of pedophile buyers in the U.S. and Europe.
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