Philly man charged with raping child and posting video
MEDIA » A 19-year-old Philadelphia man surrendered to authorities Friday on charges that he sexually abused a 12-yearold girl and put video of the incident on social media.
Ibrahim Johnson is facing charges of rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault on a person less than 13 years of age, filming sex acts with a child and dissemination of child pornography, all felonies.
“The sexual abuse of a child – and the dissemination of a video of that abuse – is heartbreaking for the victim, and should be deeply disturbing to us all,” said county District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer in a release. “As the pandemic has dragged on, many of us in law enforcement have become concerned about the drop in the reports of … child abuse. We know that the drop in calls (is) not because of a drop in the incidence of these activities. Rather, it is the result of kids having fewer ‘eyes’ on them – teachers, school nurses, counselors and friends. I urge everyone to continue to be alert to any suspected cases of abuse. If you see something, say something.”
Detective Steven Bannar of the county’s Criminal Investigative Division received a report of suspected child abuse involving a 12-year-old girl July 6, according to the release. The report indicated that the child had sex with an unknown black male between the ages of 17 and 19, and that a video of the abuse had been posted to Instagram and shared with the child’s mother and two siblings, the release says. Bannar interviewed the victim’s mother, who gave him a copy of the video. The alleged victim also confirmed she was depicted in the video, but was unwilling to divulge the name of the defendant, the release states.
Bannar was later contacted by the child’s father, who identified Johnson as the man in the video. The alleged victim was also later able to confirm his identity from a photo array and confirmed his name to detectives, according to the release.
Bannar and Detective
Robert Lythgoe went to Johnson’s residence Monday, but he was unwilling to speak with investigators without his attorney present, according to the release. He later agreed to surrender on Friday and was preliminarily arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Charles G. Nistico.
Johnson was transported to the county prison in Concord after failing to post 10 percent of $250,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 30 before Magisterial District Judge Tammi L. Forbes.