Uthmeier announces abuse charges, details AI investigations

Five charges announced

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced in Lakeland on Sept. 16 that Rafiq Osborne McDonald, 34, faces five charges tied to the alleged sexual abuse and recording of an eight-year-old girl.

The charges are two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child under 12, one count of promoting the sexual performance of a child and two counts of possessing child sexual abuse material. Uthmeier said each molestation count is punishable by life in prison and carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years.

Statewide Prosecutor Brad McVay said McDonald allegedly gained the trust of a person close to the child and used that access to abuse her. Authorities began investigating after receiving a tip from someone connected to the family.

Uthmeier said investigators had found no evidence of additional victims or that recordings were distributed. He said prosecutors could bring more charges as the evidence review continues. Prosecutors also are evaluating whether any new evidence would satisfy Florida’s legal requirements for the death penalty.

State describes technology and undercover work

The investigation involved the Apopka Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Florida’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Uthmeier said Florida law enforcement uses artificial intelligence to identify patterns, conversations and terminology that could help investigators track suspected offenders online. He also said the state has directed resources toward investigators, detectives, undercover officers and digital tools used in child predator cases.

Uthmeier described statewide undercover operations focused on finding people seeking sexual contact with minors or sexual material involving children. He also warned parents that offenders can enter online conversations, pose as children and attempt to build relationships with minors.