Update:

According to the United States Attorney's Office Eastern District of Texas, Alexander Barter was granted a mental competency exam by a federal judge.

 

 

 

 

21-year-old Alexander Nathan Barter of Joaquin is charged with the following:

 

Criminal Attempt Sexual Performance of a Child, Criminal Solicitation, Conspiracy to Commit Capital Murder, Criminal Attempt Capital Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Sexual Assault.

According to information contained in the criminal complaint Homeland Security Investigations Cocoa Beach, Florida Child Exploitation Task Force initiated an undercover online investigation after observing a post believed to have been made by Barter on the “dark web”.

 

The undercover agent began communicating with Barter who expressed his desire to rape, murder and cannibalize who he believed to be an underage girl. 

 

After Barter and the agent finalized plans to meet and commit the acts, Barter was taken into custody near his home.

 

 

 

Quote from Stephen Shires, Shelby County District Attorney:

 

“The dark web, and the individuals that operate there, pose a continued and increasing threat to the safety of our children.  Jurisdiction, geography, and distance serve as a minimal, if any, impediment to some very terrible activities.  In this matter, Law Enforcement mounted an effective and integrated (both state/federal and multi-state-Texas/Florida) effort to deal with this situation. Hopefully this will serve as a continued reminder that parents should always be vigilant and aware of what their children are doing on the internet.  I hope it also gives folks some comfort to know that there are also good guys at work-highly trained, highly capable individuals working to protect us.  And rest assured anyone utilizing the dark web will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by my office.”