INFORMATION ISSUED BY U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ON MARCH 23: DC TASK FORCE ACHIEVES 100 PERCENT CONVICTION RATE IN CASES INVOLVING INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN

The U.S. Department of Justice's U.S. Attorney's office for District of Columbia issued the following press release:

Since last summer, the Project Safe Childhood Initiative, led by the Metropolitan Police Department, has conducted a series of internet investigations, leading to the arrest and conviction of 15 online child predators. In addition, four other individuals have been indicted on charges, including sexual exploitation of minors and/or child pornography. A fifth person also was recently arrested.

The defendants in these cases range in ages from 20 - 56. Occupations of these 15 individuals include students, members of the military, employees of the media, and a contract engineer with NASA. Once sentenced, all defendants will be required by law to register as sex offenders.

The successful results of the special joint task force's investigations were announced today by Acting Chief Cathy L. Lanier, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD); Jeffrey A. Taylor, United States Attorney for the District of Columbia; Special Agent In Charge Jennifer Love, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Special Agent In Charge William Reid, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE); and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mark Hughes, U.S. Secret Service.

"The Internet can be a tremendous resource for our children, but at the same time, expose them to dangers of online child predators," said U.S. Attorney Taylor. "Through our Project Safe Childhood initiative, federal and local law enforcement are fully committed to tracking down and prosecuting those who would use the Internet to sexually exploit our children."

In addition to aggressive law enforcement, the Task Force unveiled two new Public Service Advertisements (PSAs) aimed at educating young people about the dangers of Internet predators. The PSAs, which will be televised nationally, were produced by the Department of Justice, in coordination with the Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Ad Council. They highlight the fact that nothing online is private, and children should be careful about posting personal information online.

"Public education and parental involvement are two of the most powerful tools to help combat online sexual exploitation," said MPD Acting Chief Lanier. "The Metropolitan Police Department is committed to working to protect our children and appreciates the cooperation and support that we have received from our fellow partners in law enforcement and the Washington DC Police Foundation."

The Task Force has also received significant support from the Washington DC Police Foundation, which provided MPD with a $50,000 grant to assist with start-up costs, including technology and training. Funded by the business community, the Police Foundation marshals financial resources from the private sector to support public safety initiatives in the District of Columbia.

Launched in February 2006, Project Safe Childhood is a national initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood brings federal, state and local resources together in an effort to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who seek to exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. The Washington, D.C. Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is one of 46 regional task forces funded by the U.S. Department of Justice.Contact: Channing Phillips, 202/514-6933.

Channing Phillips, 202/514-6933.