TikTok meeting leads to child sex crime charges
Police arrested Raymond Pearce, who is homeless, at Telegraph and Durant avenues.
A man who threatened to share explicit images of a 13-year-old Berkeley girl he met on TikTok is facing felony charges, authorities report.
Raymond Pearce, 39, is accused of demanding explicit photos and videos from the girl even after she told him she was 13, according to Berkeley police.
The girl initially connected with Pearce on TikTok, then communicated with him using the TextNow app, police said.
During the exchanges in early October, Pearce threatened to expose images the girl had already sent him unless she continued complying with his demands, authorities said.
He also tried to obtain her home address, Berkeley police said.
The girl ultimately told a parent what happened, and the parent contacted police Oct. 12.
Investigators obtained electronic search warrants, which helped them identify Pearce as the suspect.
Police arrested Pearce, who is listed as homeless, at Telegraph and Durant avenues in Southside Berkeley.
Raymond Pearce. BPD
On Thursday, the Alameda County district attorney's office charged Pearce with five felonies, including extortion, contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sex crime and possession of child sexual abuse material.
He also faces a misdemeanor charge of annoying or molesting a minor, according to court records.
No bail amount was listed in booking records.
He is scheduled for arraignment Friday at Wiley Manuel Courthouse in Oakland.
