Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Special Victims Unit

Christopher I. Christian (Arrested)
DOB: 07/12/1998
Address: 883 Virginia Street, Dunedin
Arrested for One-Count Certain Use of Computers Prohibited and Four-Counts Possession of Child Pornography

Victim is a 15-year old female who is not known to the suspect. Per Florida Statute, no further information will be released that would tend to identify the victim.

What:
Detectives assigned to the Sheriff's Special Victims Unit have arrested a juvenile suspect after he threatened to post nude photos of a juvenile victim. The suspect was also found to be in possession of child porn images.

When:
The suspect was arrested on February 18, 2015.

The investigation began in December 2014.

Where:
The suspect was arrested at his place of residence.

Why/How:
On December 18, 2014, detectives assigned to the Sheriff's Special Victims Unit received information that a female victim had been manipulated by an alleged "15-year-old boy from Australia" to send him sexually explicit photos.

Through various investigative techniques detectives determined the alleged suspect to be 16-year-old Christopher Christian of Dunedin. Detectives further determined that Christian had text sessions with the victim via the internet App Kik and Snapchat; and that he had  threatened to post the victim's nude photographs if she did not continue to send him more photos.

Detectives say further forensic analysis of the suspect's phone revealed various child porn images.

On February 18, 2015, Christian was arrested at his place of residence. During the interview, Christian admitted to threatening the victim. Christian was subsequently transported to the Pinellas Juvenile Assessment Center for felony One-Count Certain Use of Computers Prohibited and four-counts Possession of Child Pornography.

Detective ask that anyone with information that would assist in this investigation to contact Detective Joe Burns of the Special Victims Unit at (727)582-6200.

The investigation continues.

Christopher I. Christian