Tip led to Texas man being charged in Shelby County child pornography case

A Texas man is in custody in Talladega County and faces federal charges of conspiracy to produce child pornography.

Court documents identify the suspect as Wisam Sharieff, who is accused of soliciting sexually explicit videos of a minor from a Shelby County resident.

Authorities identified the suspect as 50-year-old Blake Miller Barakat. Barakat arrested in Chelsea A lawsuit was filed last month on allegations of child sexual abuse. He is being held on bail of nearly $2 million.

SEE ALSO: Blount County man convicted of child sexual abuse and sexual torture
SEE ALSO: Child murderer Susan Smith denied parole

Court documents show Barakat identified Sharieff as his online teacher who taught him the Quran.

Prosecutors allege Sharieff used religion to discuss sexual matters and eventually expressed interest in a child to Barakat.

Court documents allege Barakat began making sexually explicit videos of herself and her child, which were sent to Sharieff.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said the county DHR office notified deputies that it had received an anonymous tip from a Euless, Texas, resident who reported that Sharieff had received videos of a young child.

The sheriff’s office said investigators were directed to Barakat. The sheriff’s office said it is seeking assistance from the Birmingham FBI in identifying and locating Sharieff.

AlMaghrib Institute released a statement condemning the allegations against Sharieff and emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy and commitment to student safety. Read the full statement here.