Georgia Woman Charged in Virginia for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material, Police Say
VIRGINIA – A 26-year-old Georgia resident has been charged with possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) after an investigation in Leesburg, Virginia, revealed that explicit images were uploaded from her account while she was living there, according to Leesburg police.
The suspect, Penelope Colon, was identified following a tip received by the Leesburg Police Department (LPD) in November 2024. The alert originated from a social media platform, which flagged suspicious content and reported it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Investigation Uncovers Seven Illegal Images
After receiving the report, Leesburg detectives launched an investigation and found seven digital images that were “consistent with CSAM,” according to LPD.
At the time the materials were uploaded, Colon was residing in Leesburg, though she later moved to Georgia.
Police said that on June 18, Colon returned from Georgia and was officially charged with seven counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
Released on Bond After Return to Virginia
Despite the severity of the charges, Colon was released just two days later on June 20 under a personal recognizance bond, meaning she did not have to post cash bail but must return for future court proceedings.
Leesburg authorities have not indicated whether additional charges could be filed or if the images discovered were linked to larger trafficking networks.
The case remains under active review.
Digital Evidence Tracked Through Social Media
This incident highlights the increasing role of digital platforms and NCMEC partnerships in tracking and flagging CSAM across the country. Social media companies are legally obligated to report any suspected instances of child exploitation to the federal center.
Leesburg police credited the cooperation between NCMEC, the tech platform, and local investigators for the swift identification and charging of the suspect.
Do you believe digital platforms are doing enough to prevent the spread of harmful content? Should bond restrictions be tougher in child exploitation cases? Share your thoughts at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
