MONROE, NC (WBTV) - The source of a child pornography connection in search to find the person who killed Phylicia Barnes, centers on a party where pictures of people streaking were taken, according to a report filed by The Baltimore Sun.
Baltimore defense attorney Russell Neverdon told the paper his client, Michael Johnson, who is reportedly the last person to seen the teen alive at her half-sister's apartment, that several people, including Barnes, 16, were attending a party at the apartment at some point before her disappearance.
During that party, Neverdon said his client told him people were streaking inside and outside the apartment and at some point pictures were taken.
In July, it was discovered the FBI had applied for search warrants related to child pornography from several Facebook and email accounts. One of the accounts, WBTV learned, was connected to Johnson.
The attorney has previously said Baltimore Police detectives interviewed his clients several times. He called the efforts a 'law enforcement tactic to 'sweat things out, to put pressure on his client by suggesting he had done something wrong,' the article said.
No charges were ever filed.
It's unclear if police recovered any nude photos as a result of the search warrants because the contents of the file were sealed by a federal magistrate.
Barnes was last seen at the apartment December 28, 2010. On the one year milestone marking her disappearance, family and friends held vigils for the teen in Baltimore and Charlotte.
Previous Article: Vigils honor Phylicia Barnes, one year after disappearance
Neverdon refuted a recent statement by Maryland State Police that said the agency had been making progress in the search to find the teen's killer, although a spokesperson would not specify what progress had been made.
Previous Article: Maryland Police making progress in search for teen's killer
"Very pointedly, they have nothing. If they had it, they would have brought charges," Neverdon told the paper.
Neverdon did not return phone calls Thursday seeking comment on the case.
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