Multiple pieces of evidence

Abuse scandal: chats betrayed actor

The next suspicion of abuse surrounding an actor in Austria! How the actor betrayed himself - and what he now faces.

As in politics, it was telltale cell phone chats that led investigators onto the trail of the new child abuse scandal involving an actor. In any case, a look at the criminal file reveals abysses.

Children pressured into sexual acts
The suspect (the presumption of innocence applies), who was and is active in various theaters, apparently felt extremely confident in his roles and as if he were on stage, and among other things aggressively urged a 13-year-old child star to perform sexual acts.

House search ordered
It was also the courageous boy who got the ball rolling. His smartphone provided enough evidence for the Vienna regional court to order a house search.

"Gallows protest" against Teichtmeister at the trial in Vienna. Now the next actor is under suspicion again.(Bild: SEPA.Media | Martin Juen)

Sexual criminal law tightened with Lex Teichtmeister
The electronic devices will now be analyzed by IT specialists over the next few weeks. If child pornography is also found, the actor's case will fall within the scope of the sex offense law - Lex Teichtmeister - which was only tightened at the end of last year by the turquoise-green government coalition.

This provides for up to five years in prison for possession of photos or videos with minors (up to the age of 13). However, there is also a maximum sentence of one year behind bars for initiating sexual contact. And if the actor is charged with child abuse, he faces up to ten years in prison.

"Don't follow the reputation of the street"
As in the case of former TV and castle star Florian Teichtmeister, strict protection of the suspect's most personal sphere of life applies in the new case, which is intended to prevent identification, until any charges are brought and a criminal trial is held. Teichtmeister did not have to spend a day in custody. "We are not following the call of the street," said the judge in his ruling.