Two teens are facing charges after a disturbing video showing a woman who police say was kidnapped, beaten and sexually assaulted was streamed Tuesday night on Facebook Live in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Haleigh “Alexis” Hudson, 19, and Ezzie Johnson, 17, were both charged with felony kidnapping. Johnson is being charged as an adult and was held Wednesday on $200,000 bail. Hudson, who turned herself in Wednesday and is being held on $400,000 bail at the county jail, is also facing a felony sexual battery charge.
A third suspect, Kadari Booker, 17, was arrested later Wednesday on felony kidnapping and sexual battery charges. He was being held on $500,000 bail.
Gulfport Police said at a press conference that more arrests and charges could be brought as the investigation is ongoing.
The graphic video was deleted by Johnson, who police say recorded it and streamed the footage on his Facebook page, but a copy of the video was uploaded online by a woman who was watching the live video.
“The vicim herself asked me to record this and post it due to the fact that she had no evidence against them. (Besides this deleted video) and the police told her they couldn’t do anything because they were intoxicated,” Hailey wrote on Facebook .”(They didn’t enough facts on scene) I DO very much appreciate whichever police officer did call her back in for a full, more (thorough) interview. I still stand by my original post! If this wouldn’t have gotten so much attention i don’t know if anything would have been proven or even been able to be done about it! I only relayed the message the victim asked me to, for JUSTICE!”
Heavy has removed the video from the beginning of the video, which shows nudity:
Police said they believe alcohol was involved in the incident. While the victim’s friends say she has special needs, police said they have not yet confirmed that.
Gulfport Police said the video was originally posted to Ezzie Johnson’s Facebook page. “Johnson is actually the one who memorialized these criminal acts by videotaping and distributing on Facebook live,” Chief Leonard Papania said at a press conference.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected. Additional charges could also be brought against Johnson and Hudson.
“We are also evaluating the actions of other people present in order to determine if other charges will be forthcoming and I can tell you with certainty there will be,” Chief Leonard Papania said at a press conference.