The FBI is currently on the hunt for a man known as John Doe 48, who is suspected of sexually assaulting a child in the back of a van. The agency is also trying to identify and locate the child who was abused in the video that captured John Doe 48 in the act.
John Doe 48 is described as a white male between the ages of 45 and 65, with dark hair, a gray beard, and tattoos on each of his forearms. He was seen in a video recorded in a 2018-2019 Nissan NV cargo van, wearing a blue T-shirt and a dark-colored hat, while speaking English.
The FBI came across the video during three separate investigations by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The video was found to have been produced in October 2023. The agency believes that John Doe 48 has crucial information regarding the identity of the child victim in an ongoing sexual exploitation case.
FBI Supervisory Special Agent Karen Jurden emphasized the importance of sharing this information with the public to help identify and locate the individual in question. The FBI issues an appeal through its Endangered Child Alert Program when all other investigative avenues have been exhausted.
It is essential to note that not all individuals listed as John or Jane Does are accused of sexually assaulting a child. Some may have information that could lead investigators to the abuser. The FBI has previously identified 35 out of the 48 individuals listed as John or Jane Does.
If you have any information regarding John Doe 48 or the child victim, you can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov or call the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). It is crucial to remember that no charges have been filed in this case, and the individual pictured is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The FBI’s efforts to identify and locate individuals involved in child exploitation cases are vital in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable children. By sharing information and cooperating with law enforcement agencies, we can work together to protect children from harm and bring perpetrators to justice. If you have any information that could assist in this investigation, do not hesitate to come forward and help make a difference in the lives of innocent children.