FBI agents made a probable cause arrest of Anthony Lozowski, age 19, late in the evening on Friday, October 4, 2019, following the service of a federal search warrant at his Troutdale, Oregon, home. The FBI’s investigation began late Thursday when agents received a tip from a partner agency that involved the alleged on-going exploitation of a child.

On Saturday, agents sought and obtained a federal criminal complaint from a U.S. Magistrate Judge charging Lozowski with sexual exploitation of children and receipt of child pornography. The complaint details Lozowski’s interview in which he admits to using a social media platform to sexually exploit children by getting them to produce and send him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves. In at least one instance, a victim reported that Lozowski extorted her—telling her that he would share images of her with people she knew unless she traveled to meet him for sex.

At this time, agents have identified and contacted two alleged minor victims, and those children are now receiving appropriate victim resources. This investigation is in the earliest stages, and agents are working to determine whether there are other potential victims.

Lozowski made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jolie A. Russo today in Portland, and Judge Russo ordered his detention pending further court proceedings.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.