Second minor comes forward in catechist Facebook grooming case

A second minor who allegedly fell victim to a catechist accused of using fake Facebook profiles to lure boys into sending him naked photos has come forward following the arraignment of William Mark Camilleri, Times of Malta is informed.

The first sitting in the gathering of evidence took place behind closed doors on Tuesday.

Camilleri, a catechist and laboratory technician, was accused of using fake profiles on Facebook to lure boys to send him naked photos of themselves.

He was initially accused of defiling a 13-year-old boy, asking for sexual favours and subjecting the boy to sexual acts, among a raft of charges that also include accessing or possessing child pornography. He is pleading not guilty.

During his arraignment, a court heard the accused used social media profiles bearing the names “Tanya Borg” and “Kevin Kevinu” to contact children online.

The police began investigating after the parents of a 13-year-old boy filed a report, saying they had found their son chatting with a Facebook profile named “Tanya Borg”.

The person had convinced the boy to send naked photos of himself and make certain indecent acts. The person had also elicited other information from the child, including his address and school, and had also proposed meeting.

Police tracked down the accused using the IP address used by the fake profile.

It is understood that since his arraignment, at least one minor has come forward in connection with the case.

Camilleri was denied bail in a court hearing on Tuesday.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit is presiding over the proceedings.

AG lawyers Cynthia Tomasuolo and Kristina Bartolo prosecuted, assisted by police inspectors Marshall Mallia and Wayne Buhagiar. Lawyer Julia Micallef Stafrace assisted the accused.

Lawyers Herman Mula and Michele Cardinali are appearing parte civile.