SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – According to a police search warrant, it was a bold, suspected killer messaging details on Facebook that led cops to their man.
Police are now following social networking sites very closely to catch illegal activity or even tips.
“The digitization of technology and information has really arrived to what I call a conversational footprint,” said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill.
It’s the latest way to fight crime and likely why 28-year-old Thomas Kumalac is behind bars, accused of murdering 25-year-old Jessica Jenson and stuffing her body under a Salt Lake motel bed.
Police say Kumalac later confessed to the killing.
According to a police report, Facebook messages sent between Kumalac and his girlfriend discussed their involvement in the murder and were turned over to police by her estranged husband. This is just one example of how authorities are using modern day social networking sites to catch their criminals.
“It's a space where transactions are occurring. That's where conversations are occurring. As we become an information society that's where we interact with other people and it becomes our social domain,” said Gill.
The affidavit explained that Facebook messages detailed the couples’ involvement in the murder.
Gill said this kind of social media information gathering is becoming the norm for police. They can even trace illegal transactions from tweets and wall posts.
“It's a new era, it's the 21st century. We're an information society and that is where we live. And often that is where we boast and often where we commit crimes,” said Gill.
Kumalac is charged with murder and obstruction of Justice.
