FBI Child Sexual Assault Investigation: Do You Know John Doe 45?

CHICAGO — The FBI has released images and audio of an unknown man who may have information pertaining to the identity of a child in an ongoing sexual exploitation investigation.

Initial video of the unidentified man, referred to by the feds as “John Doe 45,” who is shown with a child, were first recorded by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in June 2020. According to the FBI, EXIF data embedded in the video files indicate that the files were produced between January 2019 and April 2019.

“John Doe 45” is described as a white male with brown hair, a brown mustache and a brown beard. He is heard speaking English in the video. Due to the age of the images, it is possible that his appearance may have changed over the years.

"John Doe 45" audio/Courtesy of FBI

The FBI is asking for the public’s help in identifying “John Doe 45,” who may have critical information about the identity of the child from the images and audio file provided.

Anyone with information to provide can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov, or call the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). The public is reminded no charges have been filed in this case, and the man pictured is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

In a similar appeal to the public in July, the FBI was able to locate and arrest a man identified as “John Doe 44” within 24 hours of a news media release, as part of the FBI’s Operation Rescue Me and Endangered Child Alert Program initiatives. These initiatives represent strategic partnerships between the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children — so tips from the public do matter.

~ Submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov or call the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)