YouTuber Austin Jones Arrested On Child Porn Charges
16 June 2017, 10:02
Jones became famous for his covers of Panic!, FOB, TØP and other scene acts that have been viewed by millions.
UPDATE 16/06/17
A Chicago judge has released Austin Jones from police custody after a hearing on Thursday (June 15th).
The Chicago Sun Times reports that Jones appeared in an orange jail jumpsuit at the hearing where US Magistrate Judge Michael Mason ordered him to remain locked down at his home 24 hours a day in the custody of his mother. Jones was then released on $100,000 bond, half of which secured with cash.
The Judge also ordered Austin to remain off the internet and all social media.
He will now await trial in Chicago. More news as we get it.
ORIGINAL POST
Popular music YouTuber Austin Jones has been arrested in the US on two counts of producing child pornography.
The 24 year old was detained at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Monday and appeared in court on Tuesday (June 13th), accused of encouraging teenage girls to record videos for him over social media. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison.
The Chicago Tribune reports that in one online chat last month, Jones allegedly told one victim to dance in a "sexually suggestive manner" and "make it clap super loud and talk about your age the whole time".
The full federal criminal complaint against Jones has also been obtained by The Chicago Sun Times and can be read here (WARNING: The document contains full descriptions of the online chats and videos which some readers may find disturbing).
Austin shot to fame thanks to his intricate acapella covers of songs by the likes of My Chemical Romance, Panic! At The Disco and Twenty One Pilots. His cover of 'Welcome To The Black Parade' has over 5 million views.
This isn't the first time Austin has been accused of inappropriate behaviour, becoming embroiled in a scandal two years ago after asking female fans to send him "twerking" videos. He denied there was anything sinister taking place at the time:
"I'm embarrassed. I'd have conversations online with girls that would involve me asking them to create a video of themselves twerking. Sometimes I’d make videos of myself doing some twerk moves in return. Here’s the truth: I NEVER asked them to do anything more than send a twerking video. Nothing EVER went beyond that."
We'll continue to update this story as it develops.
