Florida man indicted on child pornography charges
PENSACOLA, Fla. — A Florida man was charged Friday with receipt, distribution and possession of child pornography. The case is being investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Pensacola Police Department and other agencies that are part of the Northwest Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, whose joint investigation led to the charges.
Counts one and two of the indictment allege that, between October 2014 and January 2015, Kandel Markie Whiting, 35, of Pensacola, knowingly received and distributed images and videos of child pornography. Count three alleges that, on or about March 24, 2015, Whiting knowingly possessed child pornography involving a prepubescent minor and a minor younger than 12. Whiting’s conduct came to light based upon his use of the social media applications Twitter and Kik.
“HSI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring child predators to justice,” said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. “This criminal is an example of the dangers our children face in every aspect of the Internet and we strongly encourage parents to help us protect these young people by remaining vigilant in understanding your child’s online activities.”
This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2014, more than 2,300 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
Updated: