The Phylicia Barnes Killing Update: FBI Obtains Search Warrants For Computers Of Barnes Teen, 3 Others, and Say Child Pornography Found During Investigation May Lead To Killer

Posted by David Adams on July 9th, 2011

Could it be that young Phylicia Barnes’ Murder case has now switched gears temporarily to pursue possible Child Pornography and Child Exploitation crimes involving the pretty Monroe, NC Honor teen? Could it be that authorities now believe that the child’s Killer was one of 4 Baltimore Men (over 18) that Phylicia apparently exchanged emails with? Could it also be possible that our young Flower sent sexually explicit images to 1 or all 4 of these Men? Baltimore Men I said! I will discuss that angle shortly. However, these rhetorical questions are probably dancing around in the heads of many followers of this Tragic Case in light of Documents made Public, which were filed in Maryland U.S. District Court highlighting an FBI Special Agent assigned to the State’s Child Exploitation Task Force request for Facebook, Yahoo, and AOL Accounts of the Barnes Teen and at least 3 other people. Authorities say they are seeking access to the accounts as part of a Child Pornography Investigation and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, though the affidavits that spell out that angle remain sealed and agencies involved in the case refused to comment. The warrants seek access to two Yahoo email accounts and one AOL email account that include Barnes’ first name, along with her Facebook page. In the May 10 federal court filing, unsealed on June 30, FBI Special Agent Jacqueline Dougher, who works from the Baltimore field office with the state’s child exploitation task force, also requested access to three other Facebook pages and four other email accounts that appear to be associated with Baltimore men. At least one is linked to a man with the same name as a man previously interviewed by police. The documents say that authorities “have reason to believe that” within the accounts there is evidence related to a violation of “sexual exploitation of children” and “distribution and possession of child pornography.”

Apparently Russel Barnes was contacted by Authorities Investigating the case and advised him that the “Child Pornography” and “Child Exploitation” angle would be made public. Considering the circumstances it was a very decent thing to do giving the Elder Barnes a heads up before that kind of information about his Daughter’s Murder hit the Media. Also, Legal experts say the latest Federal court Filings does not necessarily mean that the case has a sex crime element, but that evidence of sexually explicit material discovered during the investigation is being used as an entry into computer accounts that could provide new insight into her death. Russel Barnes was quoted as saying, “They said some people weren’t being truthful, and they had to go get some search warrants,” he said. “They’ve got it wide open now to see what happened.” Going back to the “Baltimore Men” angle I duly noted at the onset of this Blog Post, It should stick out like a sore thumb to all who have followed this case, the fact that Phylicia reportedly according to her family didn’t know anyone in Baltimore other than her three older siblings. I personally can’t help but recall media reports from the early stages of the Case’ development, in particular one of Phylicia’s friends account that she allegedly told her about the door to older Sister Deena Barne’ Apartment never being locked, and the high volume of traffic in and out. The Media reported that Police described the older Barnes’ Apartment as a College Flop House with people coming and going all the time. My point here is that if it’s true that Phylicia didn’t know anyone from Baltimore, her apparent association with Baltimore Men via Cyber Social Networking, more then likely derived from those males frequenting Deena’s apartment. On a hunch I am guessing that the male highlighted in the Federal Warrant, and previously interviewed by police, is one of the Young Men related to Deena’s so called Ex-Boyfriend. The Cousin/Brother who Deena seemed to not be able to recall accurately is the male I am referring to here. It’s just a hunch, but we will see as these latest developments play out. The Child Pornography and Child Exploitation angles are very intriguing and shocking. Though those angles of the U.S. Court affidavit remain sealed, it doesn’t take rocket science to figure out that some Sexually Explicit Material was transfered between Phylicia and the 3 Baltimore Men. Why else would the FBI Child Exploitation Division be seeking Email and Social Media Accounts? It’s ordinary practice for law enforcement to get search warrants on everybody and anybody who’s related to a Case of this magnitude to see if there’s other evidence of other crimes. A tip is not enough for a Judge, especially a Federal Judge to issue a search warrant. There has to be reliability to the filed affidavit and probable cause that indicates that a crime has occurred. Is this a tactic being used by the FBI to hammer away at individuals with knowledge of the case, individuals whose accounts don’t add up, or persons of interest who appear suspicious? It seems that the Child Pornography and Child Exploitation angle may become a bargaining tool to rattle cages and get people to start talking. The fear of Federal Indictment on these charges just may be what’s needed to finally get to the bottom of Phylicia’s tragic ending. I remain troubled by the volume of men in and out of Deena Barnes’ apartment. For what purpose were all of these people there for? Why was this child left alone with with a strange male relative of Deena’s Boyfriend? If you recall doing the Blog Talk Interview, Deena states that her Ex was there to pick up a Cousin/Brother. Later on in the BTI it’s revealed by Deena that this relative actually lived there. This New Development is shocking and adds further insight into the events that led up to this child’s death. The Federal Warrants also leaves no doubt that the sexually explicit material found during the Investigation is undoubtedly Pornographic Images of young Phylicia Barnes. As always I’ll be monitoring this case as the story continues to develope.

I’m David Adams

The People’s Champion

David Adams

David B. Adams grew up in the Highlandtown section of Baltimore's southeast district and is his parent's youngest child. He experienced pervasive poverty, which taught him humility and compassion for the plight of others. His exposure to violence and gritty urban life were some of his early lessons of life's many hardships. Adams credits the upheavals he endured during his conformity with helping to shape the foundation of his outlook and perspectives on society. With a steadfast commitment to giving voice to the voiceless, Adams is a journalist, crime writer, and blogger renowned for tireless investigative journalism and advocacy on behalf of vulnerable populations. As founder and administrator of The People's Champion, Adams sheds light on critical social issues, championing the rights of: - Homeless individuals - Victims of violent crime and their families - Wrongfully convicted individuals - Missing and exploited children; Additionally, he is a seasoned investigative reporter, Adams has earned recognition for relentless pursuit of truth and justice. With a strong national and global focus, on inspiring meaningful change and crucial conversations impacting all of humanity.