A New York man was arrested for possessing child pornography after posing as a female dance instructor online to solicit inappropriate material from young girls in Texas. Learn more about the case and how to report child abuse.
New York, Bollywood Fever: A man in New York has been arrested for possessing child pornography following a tip from police in Texas, where his two alleged 10-year-old victims live.
A case spanning two states led to the arrest of Taner Ocal, 22, of Lindenhurst, who police say posed online as a female dance instructor to receive inappropriate and pornographic material from young girls. Detectives in Long Island, New York, pieced together their case against Ocal after receiving a tip from police in Fort Worth, Texas.
According to the Suffolk County Police Digital Forensics Unit, Ocal posed as a female dance teacher on Instagram, offering dance tips in exchange for inappropriate videos. He reached at least two young girls, both 10 years old, from Texas. The girls reported their conversations — which took place in May and June — to the Fort Worth police, leading to a search warrant executed by Suffolk County Police in Lindenhurst.
Police reported finding child pornography on Ocal’s cell phone, as well as “sexually explicit conversations” conducted via text message with “several” underage girls, per Long Island’s NewsDay. Ocal is facing two charges: a Class E Felony charge of possessing a sexual performance of a child, and a Class D Felony charge of promoting a sexual performance of a child.
At his arraignment on Thursday, Ocal pleaded not guilty, according to court records. His bail was set at $25,000 cash, $50,000 insured bond, or $100,000 partially secured surety bond.
Detectives are still investigating to see if Ocal was in contact with any girls outside of Texas. They are asking anyone who believes they may be a victim, or anyone with additional information, to contact the Digital Forensics Unit at 631-852-6279.
If you are experiencing or witness child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
Also Read, Alaska Serial Killer Joshua Wade Dies in Indiana Prison
Gunmen Attack Synagogue and Church in Dagestan: Priest and Policeman Killed
Uber Driver Charged with Kidnapping and Assault After Attempted Rape Thwarted by Victim’s Family
