A couple from Manatee County, Florida, Nicholas Bassler Jr., 24, and Sierra Campany, 24, have been arrested on charges related to possessing, transmitting, and producing child pornography involving children as young as 10 months old and up to 10 years old.
The charges include the severe offense of capital sexual battery, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Florida Investigation and Tracing the Transmission
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office took swift action after receiving cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on June 5, 2023, regarding the transmission of child sexual abuse material through Facebook.
Following the verification of the disturbing images as child exploitation material, an investigation led detectives to a residence on the 5000 block of 23rd Street West in Bradenton, where they believed the transmission originated.
Further investigations and subsequent contact with Bassler and Campany on Sept. 13 provided the grounds for a search warrant, executed promptly by detectives. This search yielded a tablet listed in the cyber tip, alongside several other electronic devices.
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Concerns of Potential Additional Victims
A subsequent forensic examination of these devices revealed numerous distressing images and videos depicting child exploitation, including the perpetrators engaging in sex acts with the young victims.
The suspects have reportedly confessed to these heinous crimes. The company was arrested on Sept. 14, followed by Bassler’s arrest the next day, both facing charges of capital sexual battery and additional charges related to the possession, transmission, and production of child pornography.
Law enforcement authorities fear there may be more victims and strongly encourage anyone suspecting their children may have been in contact with Bassler or Campany to reach out to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children detectives at 941-747-3011 ext. 2522.
This disturbing case highlights the pressing need to combat child exploitation and protect the most vulnerable members of our society from such horrifying offenses.
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