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Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Yusef E. Malik Myrick, 22, of Falconer, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with production, receipt, and distribution of child pornography. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Dawn M. Carter, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Myrick is accused of engaging in both online and sexual relationships with numerous minor females. When the relationships ended, Myrick cyberstalked, harassed, and threatened the minor females and their families with both physical and psychological harm. Myrick communicated with and sexually exploited at least seven victims primarily through Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram. He used names such as Azrael Lust and Chi Fazo on Facebook, Sef Johnson on Instagram, and Lovely Lil Sociopath and Antwan Johnson on Snapchat.
“I commend our law enforcement partners for tracking down this defendant, who is accused of engaging in a pattern of threatening behavior to numerous minor victims and taking him into custody” stated U.S. Attorney Ross. “I would encourage other victims to come forward and report any unlawful experience they may have had with Myrick.”
Chautauqua County Sheriff James B. Quattrone stated, “As we continue working alongside our Federal, State, and Local partners we are able to arrest predators like this defendant. We must continue the interagency cooperation and working partnership with our community to eliminate these types of crimes and keep vulnerable people safe.”
Members of the public who have information related to this case are asked to contact the Chautauqua County Sherriff’s Office at 716-753-4973, the Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line at 716-464-6070, or hsibuffalotips@ice.dhs.gov.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James B. Quattrone; the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson; and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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