Two individuals face charges related to child sexual exploitation, according to a recent announcement by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples. The indictment was filed in the U.S. District Court.
The indictment lists five counts against Wisam A. Sharieff, 43, from Euless, Texas, and Blake Miller Barakat, also known as “Hamna,” 50, from Shelby County, Alabama. They are charged with conspiracy to engage in the sexual exploitation of children, conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, sexual exploitation of children, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
As per the indictment details, between September 27 and October 15 of this year, Sharieff and Barakat allegedly worked together to coerce a minor into sexually explicit conduct for visual depiction purposes. They also conspired to receive and distribute child pornography.
The investigation was carried out by FBI Birmingham’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force in collaboration with the FBI Dallas-Fort Worth Violent Crimes Task Force and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney R. Leann White is handling the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at addressing the increasing issue of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative brings together federal, state, and local resources to locate offenders who exploit children via the Internet while rescuing victims.
For further information on Project Safe Childhood initiatives visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
It is important to note that an indictment only contains charges; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.