by: Summer Kelley
The arrest of two male subjects in connection with the federal investigation of sexually explicit photos of Dade County High School (DCHS) students being exchanged online was announced Wednesday afternoon.
A press conference was held by Dade County Sheriff Ray Cross and Trenton Police Chief Christy Smith to announce the arrests at the end of Wednesday's COVID-19 update. The two arrested are reported to be former DCHS students who had graduated within the last ten years and were serving in the military. Cross and Smith said they were unable to share any more information regarding the arrests or the investigation as the investigation is ongoing.
Both law enforcement leaders emphasized that local law enforcement was not involved in the investigation except to help with the victims, which is "probably less than 50". Smith said there are probably more victims elsewhere, but t
"Understand we are just assisting in this investigation, the federal agents have more information," Cross said. "There is not a lot I can tell you."
Cross also responded to accusations on social media that the investigation is being swept under the rug by reiterating that the investigation is being handled by federal agents and sharing that federal travel restrictions due to COVID-19 have delayed the investigation by a couple of months.
"Let me assure you that we are not sweeping this under the rug or hiding anything," Cross said. "It is just an investigation where we have to take our time to make sure the perpetrators are brought to justice."
"It is imperative that we respect their authority and the integrity of this case," Smith said of the federal agents and the investigation. "We will continue to do that. As this investigation is being handled by federal agencies, it is at their discretion what can be shared."
The investigation into the nude photo ring was first announced in December of last year. Local law enforcement and state and federal agents interviewed students at DCHS who were believed to be victims. At the time, there were thought to be as many as fifty adults and minors who were victims in the photo exchange.
If there were any teachers involved in the sexually explicit photo exchange, the federal agencies were taking care of the suspects and have not shared that information. Cross said local law enforcement was taking care of victims and was not privy to information on suspects. Cross said as far as they know there are not any teachers at the high school now who were involved.
Local law enforcement continues the search for victims. If anyone has information or believes they are a victim in this case, they can contact the Dade County Sheriff's Office at 706-657-3233 or the Trenton Police Department at 706-657-4167.
The full update and press conference can be viewed below.
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