Yusef E. Malik Myrick

A Falconer man who authorities say harassed and threatened underaged women and their families was taken into custody early Tuesday.

A charge of production, receipt and distribution of child pornography against Yusef E. Malik Myrick was announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. A bevy of police officers, federal authorities and a federal helicopter were present for the 22-year-old’s arrest on Delaware Avenue in Falconer.

Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone earlier Tuesday said the arrest was the result of a joint investigation involving Homeland Security Investigations.

Myrick, according to special assistant U.S. Attorney Dawn M. Carter, allegedly engaged in both “online and sexual relationships with numerous minor females.” When the relationships ended, the Falconer man reportedly harassed and threatened the minors and their families with “both physical and psychological harm.”

In a news release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said “Myrick communicated with and sexually exploited at least seven victims primarily through Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram. He used names such as Azrael Lust and Chi Fazo on Facebook, Sef Johnson on Instagram, and Lovely Lil Sociopath and Antwan Johnson on Snapchat.”

U.S. Attorney Ross praised efforts of police.

“I commend our law enforcement partners for tracking down this defendant, who is accused of engaging in a pattern of threatening behavior to numerous minor victims and taking him into custody,” she said. “I would encourage other victims to come forward and report any unlawful experience they may have had with Myrick.”

Added Quattrone in a statement, “As we continue working alongside our federal, state and local partners, we are able to arrest predators like this defendant. We must continue the interagency cooperation and working partnership with our community to eliminate these types of crimes and keep vulnerable people safe.”

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 716-753-4973, the Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line at 716-464-6070, or hsibuffalotips@ice.dhs.gov.