Online Child Predator Caught By Fairfax County Undercover Cop Faces Bestiality Charge

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — A man is facing bestiality distribution and 25 other charges resulting from an online child predator investigation by Fairfax County Police.

Detectives were notified about the crimes against children allegation on July 18 when a Maryland man used internet platforms for sexually explicit conversations with an undercover detective. During the communication, police say the man provided illicit images of children and information about illegal contact with a minor in Maryland.

Detectives arrested Joseph Muir Osborne, 68, in collaboration with the Frederick County Sheriff's Office. Osbourne was charged with 25 counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of distribution of bestiality. He is being held at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center on other child exploitation-related charges and will be extradited to Fairfax County.

Police did not specify the details of what prompted the bestiality charge.

The police department encouraged parents to monitor children's online activities and use security settings to block inappropriate sites or platforms. Children are encouraged to report a person that starts inappropriate conversations or tries to get them to provide sexually explicit images.

Anyone with information about a similar incident can contact Fairfax County Police's Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 6.