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CyberTipline® Success Stories
October 2007
T-shirt Provides Clue Needed to Find 10-Year-Old Victim
The CyberTipline received a report from a registered Internet Service Provider
regarding suspicious text and images found on a popular social networking site
on August 30, 2007. The site reportedly featured a 17-year-old male who was
admitting to having a relationship with a 10-year-old child.
An analyst with NCMEC’s Exploited Child Division (ECD) viewed the
site, documented the content, and reviewed images posted by the reported
suspect. The images showed a prepubescent boy kissing a man, believed to
be the reported suspect.
The ECD analyst immediately noticed that the boy was wearing a T-shirt
with the name of an elementary school printed on it in one of the photos. Using
this as a starting point, the analyst began conducting Internet searches
and found a possible jurisdiction for the child in Ohio. The analyst then
tracked down the names of the elementary schools in this area and located
the one mentioned on the child’s t-shirt in the photo. The analyst
also found references to both the reported suspect’s and the child’s
first names.
Based on the child’s possible location, NCMEC forwarded the information
and the initial CyberTipline report to the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children
Task Force, a program funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention. Their investigation led to the identification and interview
of the 10-year-old victim, who disclosed sexual abuse at the hands of the
suspect. The suspect, who was working as a teacher's aid, is currently in
custody. The investigation continues.
CyberTipline Report Leads to Arrest of Man with Numerous Child
Victims
The CyberTipline received a report on July 11, 2007, from a teenage
male who had discovered that the “teenage girl” with whom he had been corresponding
online, was actually an adult male. During their correspondence, he had
e-mailed nude photos of himself to “her”. The suspect was now
blackmailing the boy to engage in sexual activity by threatening to disseminate
those images on a popular social networking site.
An analyst with NCMEC’s Exploited Child Division (ECD) conducted
online searches with the provided information and found indicators that
the suspect had additional victims. The CyberTipline report was forwarded
to a detective with the Boynton Beach Police Department, who coordinated
the investigation with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department. Working
together, the two agencies were able to link several cases and quickly determined
the identity of the suspect, a 20-year-old restaurant manager. One
week later, the suspect was arrested and his computer was seized.
Through a preliminary examination of the suspect’s computer and follow-up
by detectives, investigators learned that the suspect had between 30-50
possible victims. Law enforcement reached out to the local community
to ask anyone who was victimized by the suspect to contact them immediately. To
date, five children have come forward. Investigators continue to work
non-stop, combing through videos and serving legal process, in an attempt
to identify and interview additional victims.
The suspect is currently being held on $260,000 bond. He faces charges
of transmission of child pornography, transmission of material harmful to
a minor, threats, solicitation of a child, and extortion. He is also
being charged with interference of custody, stemming from an incident in
which he allegedly picked up a child while pretending to be the brother
of the “female” the child was chatting with online. Additional
charges may be added as the investigation continues.
September 2007
INHOPE Members’ Collaboration Leads to Arrest
The CyberTipline received a report from the Internet Watch Foundation
(IWF), the United Kingdom-based hotline for reporting illegal content
on the Internet, on February 26, 2006, regarding a Web site reportedly
featuring sexually abusive images of children.
An analyst with NCMEC’s Exploited Child Division (ECD) reviewed the
site, documented the content, and, based on a registrant look-up, determined
that it was registered in Wisconsin. Public database searches corroborated
the location. The report, along with three related reports, was then forwarded
to the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), a program
funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention out
of the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
An investigation by the Wisconsin ICAC led to the arrest of a 51-year-old
man. Upon executing a search warrant on the suspect’s residence,
law enforcement officers reported finding large volumes of sexually abusive
images of children. Authorities said a computer was seized that contained
more than 16,000 images and more than 1,000 video files depicting children — many
between the ages of two and ten years old — being sexually assaulted. Investigators
said they soon discovered that the suspect possessed video equipment that
he was using to record himself sexually assaulting three young children.
The suspect admitted to sexually assaulting the children, ages three,
four, and five, and a fourth victim about 20 years prior. On June 20,
2007, he pleaded guilty to manufacturing child pornography in U.S. District
Court. He was sentenced in August to 60 years in federal prison without
the possibility of parole — the highest possible sentence that could
be imposed under federal law. The suspect is also facing additional
charges.
The CyberTipline and the Internet Watch Foundation are members of INHOPE. INHOPE,
the International Association of Internet Hotlines, represents and co-ordinates
a global network of hotlines that work to respond to reports of illegal
content on the Internet. The success of this investigation demonstrates
that those who prey on children will be bought to justice.
“Illegal activity on the Internet is a cross border problem
that no one organization can effectively tackle alone,” said Ruben
Rodriguez, INHOPE President. "www.inhope.org is a centralised portal where
the public can report illegal and harmful use of the Internet. We greatly
encourage and support the successful cooperation between our members and
stake holders."
Multiple CyberTipline Reports Lead to One Suspect
Between May 2006 and February 2007, the CyberTipline received
four reports regarding the same suspect who was allegedly uploading
sexually abusive images of children to the Internet. In compliance
with Federal law, the Internet Service Providers gave NCMEC specific
information about the incidences, including the reported images, the
suspect’s e-mail address, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address. Also
during this time, a concerned citizen notified the CyberTipline of
a website that contained an image of a prepubescent female posing
suggestively.
Based on the reported information, analysts with NCMEC’s Exploited
Child Division were able to link the reports to the same individual. Through
various Internet searches, they determined that the suspect was accessing the
Internet in New York. The analysts also located an online profile that indicated
the reported suspect was posing as a 20-year-old female. NCMEC forwarded the
reports to the New York State Police’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a program funded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, for investigation.
The investigation by the New York State Police led to the execution of a search
warrant at the suspect’s home on November 15, 2006. His computer and other media
storage were seized, and were found to contain over 600 sexually explicit images
of children. Investigators also seized notebooks filled with stories in which
the suspect detailed his sexual attraction to, and interest in molesting several
females in his community.
On March 26, 2007, the suspect pled guilty to one count of possession of child
pornography. He was sentenced to the maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment,
followed by 10 years of supervised probation.
July 2007
Online Enticement Stopped Before Face-to-Face Meeting Could
Occur
On April 10, 2007, the CyberTipline received
a report of possible online enticement involving the reporting person’s
14-year-old niece and a 20-year-old male. The reporting person stated that the
suspect had been communicating with his niece through a popular social networking
site and through instant messages. The child’s uncle became concerned when
the reported suspect began referring to the child as his girlfriend and demanded
she have no contact with other boys.
An analyst with NCMEC’s Exploited Child Division quickly contacted
the reporting person and secured chat logs of conversations between the suspect
and the child, which the uncle had saved. The analyst discovered that the suspect
had been trying to set up a meeting with the child. In the chat logs, the suspect
asked the child, "Could I come over one day?" and told her if he could, "I
will
owe u forever and always my love." He then pressed her to make plans to
meet
him within a few days. The analyst also learned that the suspect was contacting
at least four other female students from the victim’s school.
Based on the information provided, the Exploited Child Division analyst conducted
Internet searches on the reported suspect's e-mail address and found several
profiles that corroborated his location. She then contacted the Davidson County
Sheriff's Department in North Carolina and provided them with a copy of the CyberTipline
report, chat logs, and profiles she located online. Investigators with the Sheriff's
Department quickly identified the reported suspect and arrested him on May 15,
2007 at his home. They confiscated his computer and 15 computer discs.
The suspect was charged with 15 counts of third degree sexual exploitation of
a minor. Originally, the suspect was released after he posted a $5,000 bond.
However, while examining the suspect's computer discs, forensic examiners found
over 158 sexually abusive images of children. The suspect was promptly re-arrested
on additional charges of possession of child pornography and is now being held
on a $100,000 bond.
Arrest Ends Years of Molestation, Prevents Likely Future Victimization
On May 28, 2007, the CyberTipline received
a report from a concerned mother that her 13-year-old daughter had been
sexually victimized by the mother’s husband— the child’s
stepfather. She reported that the suspect was no longer at the house
but that she did not know where to turn or what to do to help her daughter.
To add urgency to the situation, the reporting person was also concerned
the suspect may be soliciting minors for sex acts from a popular social
networking website.
An analyst with NCMEC’s Exploited Child Division promptly contacted
the
reporting person to request more information. Though the mother was hesitant
to provide additional information, the analyst soon learned that the
child disclosed
the sexual molestation had been occurring for several years— most
recently one
week prior to the date of the CyberTipline report. After the mother confronted
her husband with the allegations, he left.
The Exploited Child Division analyst documented all information provided,
conducted
public records searches on the suspect, and performed Internet searches
on the
suspect’s
e-mail address. Within an hour of initially receiving the report, the
analyst
had made contact with an investigator with the Charles County Sheriff’s
Department
in Maryland and forwarded the CyberTipline report, including all of the
information
gathered.
Investigators made contact with the reporting person and interviewed
the child. The young girl disclosed the abuse to law enforcement and the
suspect was arrested on June 8, 2007 on three counts of sexual child abuse.
He is currently being held on $150,000 bond and faces up to 100 years in
prison, if convicted. Additional charges may follow, pending investigation
of the suspect’s computer and online activities.
May 2007
Internet Service Provider Tips Lead to Teacher's Arrest
Between December 29, 2006 and January 3, 2007, NCMEC’s CyberTipline received three reports from a registered Internet Service Provider (ISP) regarding an individual who was allegedly posting sexually abusive images and movie files of children to an online group. In compliance with Federal law, the ISP provided the reported suspect’s e-mail address and the files in question.
An analyst in NCMEC’s Exploited Child Division used this information to
conduct online searches and find a possible location of the suspect in Athens,
Georgia. The analyst forwarded the reports to the Georgia Internet Crimes Against
Children Task Force (ICAC), an OJJDP-funded program out of the Georgia Bureau
of Investigation (GBI), for investigation.
Agents with GBI quickly identified the suspect as a middle-school teacher and father of a 4-year-old girl. They shared this information with the Athens Police Department. Detectives executed a search warrant at the suspect’s house on February 12, 2007 and took him into custody. A preliminary review of his computer revealed additional pornographic images and movies involving children. In total, they seized three computers, several hard drives, and computer disks from the residence, and one computer from his place of employment.
To date, the suspect has been charged with one count of sexual exploitation; however, additional charges are expected to be filed pending further investigation and forensic examination of his computers. The suspect faces up to 20 years in prison for each image.
Middle School Teacher Arrested; 15 Year Old Protected from
Further Harm
On April 4, 2007 and April 10, 2007, the CyberTipline received two separate reports concerning a suspect in New York who was reportedly engaged in explicit sexual conversations with a child. The reports indicated that the suspect— a middle school teacher and mother of two— was allegedly pretending to be a 16-year-old girl when she encountered the 15-year-old boy on an online gaming site two years prior. According to the reports, their online “relationship” escalated into a plan to meet and run away together.
Both reports contained an e-mail address for the suspect, along with her name
and address. Analysts with NCMEC’s Exploited
Child Division were able to verify information in the CyberTipline
reports through a public records search. They also conducted extensive Internet
searches and located an online profile corroborating the allegation that the
reported suspect was pretending to be a teenage girl online.
NCMEC quickly forwarded this information to the New York Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a program funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. ICAC investigators immediately launched an investigation. They determined that the reported suspect and child victim had been having graphic sexual chats online and over the phone for at least one year.
On May 7, 2007, the suspect was arrested and charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The arrest occurred before the suspect and child could carry out their plan to meet in person. The suspect has been suspended from her teaching position and the investigation into other inappropriate activity continues.
April 2007
Online "Trail" Leads to Location of Teenage Runaway
On March 7, 2007, a concerned father in Washington State called NCMEC’s
hotline to report his 17-year-old daughter missing. The father informed
NCMEC that he believed she had run away to live with an adult male she met
on the Internet. The child had been reported to law enforcement and entered
into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)1 as a Missing Person Juvenile.
NCMEC gathered as much information as possible from the father and assigned
the case to a case manager in its Missing Children’s Division. The
Exploited Child Division was also notified because the report indicated
the child was missing due to possible online enticement for sexual acts.
Initially, NCMEC had very little information on the reported companion—that
he resided in the Orlando, Florida area, was in his late twenties, and
was possibly an attorney. An Exploited Child Division analyst immediately
conducted online searches to gather additional information on the child
and companion. The analyst found a profile the child had created on a
popular social networking website. On it, the child gave her location
as “Florida
now,” confirming
her father’s suspicions. In addition, the child had over 1,000 “friends” listed.
Upon closer examination of this list, the analyst found a profile of
an adult male appearing to match the companion’s description. With
this profile, the analyst was able to find a possible first name, place
of employment, and location in Florida. She also noted that the child had
posted "so excited! 3 days!" as a comment on his page exactly three days
before she left home.
With a few additional online public searches, NCMEC’s Exploited Child
Division analyst was able to find a last name and home address for
the suspected companion. This information was quickly forwarded to the
NCMEC case manager who reached out to the Apopka Police Department in
Apopka, Florida.
By the end of the day, the Apopka Police Department was able to locate
the girl at the companion’s residence. She was found to be safe and
in good health, much to her family’s relief. The family is looking
into counseling options with the assistance of NCMEC’s Family Advocacy
Division.
1NCIC is a computerized index of criminal justice information available
to Federal, state, and local law enforcement and other criminal justice
agencies. It is operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
January 2007
Online Postings Provide Clues that Lead to Arrest
On November 20, 2006, the CyberTipline received a report from a registered
Internet Service Provider (ISP) regarding a collection of sexually
abusive images of children that had been uploaded to an online photo
album. Many of the images depicted a prepubescent female being sexually
abused by an adult male, while others were of older female children
and had been altered to make them appear nude.
Upon reviewing these images, an Exploited Child Division analyst
was struck by the resemblance between the children in the photos. She
suspected that the reported suspect had not only uploaded the images,
but had also manufactured them and may still be victimizing the children.
The analyst worked closely with the Child Victim Identification Program
to aggressively research the information provided by the ISP in hope
of identifying young victims.
The first clue that led the analysts to the children’s location
was a personal home page created by the reported suspect. It contained
numerous non-pornographic images of several children, who strongly resembled
the children in the abusive images. Further analysis of the website revealed
a possible name for the reported suspect, several references to a town
in Kentucky, and additional identifying information regarding the children.
The analysts confirmed the possible location of the children in Kentucky
via public database searches. Exploited Child Division analysts also
found online postings indicating that the reported suspect had ties to — or
possibly resided in — Canada. The Internet Protocol (IP) address
provided by the ISP was consistent with this information.
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Senior Special Agent
and NCMEC liaison contacted a Special Agent in the Northern Kentucky
Field Office. The Special Agent worked to ensure immediate transfer of
the report and images. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the
agent also enlisted the help of the Boone County Sheriff’s Department
and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Integrated Child Exploitation
Unit. The RCMP were able to confirm the suspect’s identity and
verify that he was no longer in Canada. They also had the suspect’s
home page taken down, thereby protecting the children’s identities.
Meanwhile, authorities with ICE and Boone County located the 46-year-old
suspect and took him into custody. Boone County investigators secured
a confession from the suspect, in which he reportedly admitted to sexually
assaulting the youngest child on several occasions.
The suspect is currently being held in lieu of a $1,000,000 bond. He
has been charged with seven counts of Sodomy in the First Degree and
one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. Additional charges are
pending. The charges carry a potential penalty of life in prison if he
is convicted.
Quick Action of NCMEC and Law Enforcement Helps Prevent Further Exploitation
On December 15, 2006, a concerned individual in Georgia reported to the CyberTipline that an adult male had been checking in to the motel where she worked every
weekend since mid-November. Each time, he was accompanied by several young
males. She was concerned that the individual may be sexually abusing the children.
In the report, she stated that the suspect had booked a room for that very
evening.
An Exploited Child Division analyst recognized the urgency of
the situation and began gathering additional information. The analyst
learned that the reported suspect always requested a single bedroom,
and that the boys, whom the reported suspect introduced as his cousin
and brother, were never permitted to leave the room. The reporting
person also noted that the suspect tried to avoid surveillance cameras
in the motel and made certain that he and the boys checked out before
they might be seen by other guests.
The Exploited Child Division analyst contacted the Georgia Bureau
of Investigation’s
Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, an OJJDP-funded
program, and explained the situation. The analyst provided instant,
real-time access to the report while the ICAC investigator contacted
the Dekalb County Police Department and enlisted their assistance.
Within an hour, representatives from the Dekalb County Police Department
and the Stone Mountain Police Department were at the scene.
Investigators found two 14-year-old males, an 18-year-old male, and
the reported suspect alone in the room. The suspect was found to be
their neighbor. Law enforcement’s intervention that night likely
prevented a sexual assault, although they did feel the suspect had
engaged the children sexually during previous encounters. The children’s
parents, who had not been aware of their sons’ location or circumstances,
were immediately contacted and the children were returned to their
custody. The investigation continues.
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