Three people are in custody in Gulfport, MS for an apparent sexual assault broadcast on Facebook Live, according to The Clarion-Ledger.
The Clarion-Ledger reported Wednesday that two teenage suspects turned themselves in, while a third person was arrested by Gulfport police that night.
Ezzie Johnson, 17, is reportedly being held on a $200,000 bond on a charge of kidnapping after the incident the day before and will be charged as an adult.
Haleigh Alexis Hudson, 19, who is also wanted on a charge of sexual battery, is being held on a $400,000 bond.
Kadari Fabien Booker is charged with felony kidnapping and sexual assault, according to The Sun Herald, and has bond set at $500,000.
Some Twitter users on Thursday commented on the shocking incident, which began late Tuesday with a reported assault at a Gulfport home later believed to be Hudson’s residence.
Great!! 2 teens wanted in sexual assault depicted on #Facebook Live in custody https://t.co/WCV4w8uHI8 via @clarionledger
— OTFS (@Ontheflipside09) July 13, 2017
Facebook Live Becoming The New Internet Hot Spot For Rape, Sexual Assault And Suicide Videos https://t.co/Mn1CmXBxx4
— Thomas Halsey (@thalsey51) July 13, 2017
My latest ... Teens charged in 'horrific' Facebook Live sexual assault https://t.co/EY4pWS5Mat
— Joshua Rhett Miller (@joshuarhett) July 13, 2017
The Clarion-Ledger reported on Wednesday that officers learned of a Facebook Live video depicting the physical and sexual assault of a 23-year-old woman during Tuesday’s call.
The graphic video begins with a man in a bathroom and others in the background urging a woman to perform oral sex on him.
The group then tries getting the woman to perform the sex acts on camera again to increase the video’s views, a demand she refuses.
The female ultimately drags the victim off a couch and begins punching her in the head as the two men say “Don’t break it up, don’t break it up.”
Gulfport Police Chief Leonard Papania said during a Wednesday press conference that Hudson and Johnson knew the victim prior to the alleged assault.
“Once again we are witnessing the dark side of social media,” he said. “These warrants demonstrate our belief about these three individuals and their criminal acts.”
“However, I can’t help but be disturbed by the incredible number of shares and views of this crude and despicable event,” Papania added.
“Not too long ago, we were up to 1,100 shares of that video and I think we’re around 48,000 views. It speaks loudly about our culture.”
