WASHINGTON, D.C. – The FBI has launched a manhunt for a suspect accused of sexually assaulting a child in the back of a van, captured on video. Known only as John Doe 48, the individual was seen in footage abusing the child, whom authorities are also working to identify and locate.
The FBI’s Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) issued a nationwide and international appeal on Wednesday for information on John Doe 48. This program seeks public assistance in identifying unknown adults linked to child pornography through visible distinguishing features.
John Doe 48 is described as a white male between 45 and 65 years old, with dark hair, a gray beard, and tattoos on both forearms. In the video, he is seen in the rear of a 2018-2019 Nissan NV cargo van, wearing a blue T-shirt and a dark hat, and speaking English.
The disturbing footage was discovered in December 2023 during investigations by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Metadata embedded in the video file indicates it was produced in October 2023. The FBI believes John Doe 48 possesses crucial information regarding the identity of the child victim in this ongoing sexual exploitation case.
FBI Supervisory Special Agent Karen Jurden emphasized the importance of public assistance in identifying the suspect. “This person is definitely a person of interest,” Jurden stated. “It’s important to get this out to the public so that they can help us identify him.”
The FBI typically exhausts all other investigative avenues before issuing a public appeal through ECAP. Jurden noted that the program has successfully identified numerous suspects and child victims in the past. “As of today, we’ll have a total of 48 John or Jane Does, and out of that number, 35 have been identified,” she said.
The public is urged to submit any information online at tips.fbi.gov or call the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). It is important to remember that no charges have been filed in this case, and the individual remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.