A Northern Ireland court has sentenced 26-year-old Alexander McCartney to life in prison for his involvement in a series of severe online exploitation crimes, including actions that led a 12-year-old girl in the United States to take her own life.
McCartney, who impersonated a young girl on social media, manipulated and blackmailed minors globally, primarily using Snapchat to connect with his victims.
Having pleaded guilty to 185 charges affecting 70 children across multiple countries, McCartney will serve a minimum of 20 years before he is eligible for parole. Detective Chief Superintendent Eamonn Corrigan of the Police Service of Northern Ireland described McCartney as a “vile predator” who operated on an “industrial scale.”
EDITOR’S PICKS
Corrigan explained that McCartney began his abusive activities as a teenager from his bedroom in Newry, Northern Ireland, calling his actions a “paedophile enterprise.”
Corrigan further remarked on McCartney’s dangerous and relentless nature, stating, “McCartney is a dangerous, relentless, cruel paedophile.”
Among McCartney’s victims was 12-year-old Cimarron Thomas from West Virginia, who died by suicide in 2018 after he coerced her into explicit acts and pressured her to involve her younger sister.
Tragically, Cimarron’s father, Ben Thomas, also died by suicide 18 months later. In Belfast Crown Court, McCartney admitted to manslaughter with Cimarron’s death. His additional charges include 59 counts of blackmail, producing and distributing indecent images, and inciting minors to engage in inappropriate acts, with victims across the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.
Click here to watch our video of the week
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, says the lifting of ban on mining…
In a landmark event, Epe Club marked its 50th anniversary with the unveiling of a…
The Labour Party LP presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi says the…