SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake man was arrested Thursday who investigators say was using a popular social media platform for child pornography and to talk to underage girls.
Tyler Lane Faust, 27, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
The investigation began in March when “Instagram reported that a user uploaded a video of suspected child pornography to their account,” according to a police booking affidavit.
On Thursday, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force served a warrant at Faust’s residence.
“Faust admitted to being aware that child pornography was on that account. Faust intentionally searched for and sent child pornography on the reported Instagram account. It was discovered that Faust had engaged in online chatting with underage females from another country through this Instagram account. Faust had sent nude images of himself to the underage girls and had received nude images from the underage females,” the affidavit states.
Police also searched Faust’s cellphone and “over 30 files of child pornography were found,” according to the affidavit.
Investigators say the girls in the pictures and videos were 10 years old or younger.
Task force officials have requested a high bail of $250,000.