Russian medic accused of sexually abusing 450 young girls online

USPA News - A 29-year-old Russian paramedic who was arrested earlier this week may have used the Internet to sexually abuse and blackmail as many as 450 young girls, some of them just 8 years old, local police and prosecutors revealed on Wednesday. The man, who was identified as recently-divorced Dmitry Zhidkov, was arrested on Monday at his home in Moscow. The investigation began earlier this year after a 10-year-old girl was told to undress and perform sexual acts on webcam while chatting with a man through Skype.

But after the suspect was arrested, investigators found overwhelming evidence that Zhidkov may have sexually abused as many as 450 other young girls. It is believed Zhidkov repeatedly posed as a woman online and approached girls between the ages of 8 and 13 under the pretext of offering them a photo shoot for a fashion magazine. After the girls turned on their webcam and partially undressed as part of an "audition", Zhidkov allegedly threatened to publish the photos and videos on the Internet. "While threatening to publish this material, he demanded of the victims to fully expose themselves on webcam and to commit sexual acts," a Moscow police spokesperson said. Police said investigators have found hundreds of folders on the man`s computer which contain the names, contact information, and recordings of more than 450 young girls. Zhidkov, who worked as a paramedic at the Center for Emergency Medicine in Moscow, has partially admitted guilt and remained in custody on Wednesday.