A Tennessee man allegedly convinced a teen to carve letters into her skin as part of a disturbing effort to groom and sexually exploit her, WKMG-TV reports.
Wesley Hurd, 29, faces a raft of charges in connection with the allegations, which involve a 14-year-old Florida girl.
Authorities say Hurd met the victim online and used the Discord platform to have “inappropriate conversations” with her under the username “Vile.vil.”
Hurd allegedly picked up the girl in Florida and brought her to his home in Tennessee. Investigators say he encouraged her to create child pornography with an 8-year-old and that he wanted her to kidnap the younger child.
Police allegedly found nude images of the teen that she had sent to Hurd, according to WCYB-TV.
Authorities allege that Hurd also convinced the teen to brand herself with the letters “VIL,” which she carved into her body. The letters are part of Hurd’s online username.
When police interviewed Hurd, he allegedly admitted that he would try to find “vulnerable underage girls” on the internet and encourage them to engage in self-harm while he watched by video.
Hurd would then produce and share pornography. Hurd also allegedly called himself a “pedo” in online conversations, according to Ocala-News.com.
Police believe there may be other victims. Investigators uncovered photos that Hurd allegedly had showing other children with “VIL” branded in them, in addition to evidence of conversations with minors.
Hurd has been extradited to Florida and faces the following charges:
- Human trafficking via commercial sexual activity
- Solicitation to commit human trafficking
- Branding of a victim in relation to human trafficking (three counts)
- Solicitation to commit kidnapping, aggravated child abuse
- Possession of child pornography (20 counts)
- Transmission of child pornography (11 counts)
- Production of child pornography (four counts)
- Traveling to meet a minor to engage in sexual activity
- Transmission of material harmful to a minor
- Destruction of physical evidence (two counts)
- Lewd and lascivious exhibition via transmission (three counts)
- Unlawful use of a two-way community device to facilitate a felony
- Interference with child custody
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said in a statement that police located and arrested Hurd within four hours of learning he had picked up the teen.
“The actions of this sick individual are truly among the most disturbing things I have ever heard of in my 32 years in law enforcement,” Woods said.
“It is a reminder that true evil exists in this world and that the internet is the chief means by which these predators try to gain access to children. Parents, our children rely upon us to keep them safe, so please be aware of what your kids are doing online. Their lives may depend on it.”
To report information about Hurd or similar cases, call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-351-4710. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-7867.
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[Feature Photo: Wesley Hurd/Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office]
