On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, the Gainesville Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Division, with the assistance of GPD SWAT, served a search warrant at 2307 SW 32nd PL, Apt. 8. The investigation was prompted after GPD received a Cyber Tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The Cyber Tip indicated that a Snapchat user possessed, and shared, child sexual abuse material (CAM) on their platform.
Further investigation by Detective Montague, of the Gainesville Police Department, revealed that the likely account holder was Joseph Carnes (H/M, 04-08-2003) who resides at the address. During a post Miranda interview, Carnes admitted to the ownership of the account in question but claimed that his old cell-phone was hacked. Carnes reported that someone hacked his old cell-phone, then Snapchat account, and lastly his internet, successfully gaining access to share the child abuse material. Carnes claimed that he subsequently got access to his Snapchat account and realized that the "pedophile stuff" was sent to a friend of his. Despite other evidence, Carnes continued to deny being the one who shared the content from his Snapchat account. Digital forensic examiners on scene were able to locate child sexual abuse material on Carnes' new cell-phone and he was questioned regarding this. Carnes then invoked his rights to not speak without an attorney present.
Carnes was subsequently arrested for one count of possession of child pornographv. The video in which Carnes is being arrested for denicts the 57 minute sexual assault of a pre-pubecent child. A complete analysis of Carnes’ seized devices is still pending.
The Gainesville Police Department wants parents to be aware that children are being solicited and exploited through social networking and messaging. We encourage parents to have age appropriate conversations with their children about the dangers of the internet. Please be vigilant and aware of any social networking platforms your children may access. If you have any questions about this incident, please contact GPD Detective Montague at: 252-393-77300 or montagueda@cityofgainesville.org.
