8/12/2023 0 Comments Cases of online predatorsOf the 255 arrested, 251 were men and 4 were women. The other 235 were charged with child pornography production, possession and distribution of child pornography traveling with the intent to have sex with a minor and various other offenses, including rape and molestation. Of the 255 child predators arrested during Operation iGuardian, 20 were charged with online sexual enticement of a minor, two of which escalated to sextortion of multiple victims (see Caraballo-Colon and Romero Barrios cases below). Of the 61 victims identified, four were under the age of 3 five were ages 4 to 6 13 were ages 7 to 9 10 were ages 10 to 12 23 were ages 13 to 15 and six were ages 16 to 17. Their ages ranged from 7 to 17, the majority aged 13 to 15 years old. Twenty-four of the 61 victims identified during the Operation iGuardian were engaging online with strangers who sexually exploited them. I applaud the dedicated members of the 61 task forces across our nation, who daily work together in cyberspace tracking down those who prey on our children." "Since 2000, Maryland's task force has been responsible for 526 arrests of men and women who were attempting to victimize our most vulnerable citizens – our children. "Thanks to the essential support of our federal partners and the dedicated efforts of our task force members, Maryland's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force has had a significant impact on our fight against the Internet exploitation of children," said Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Marcus L. In some cases, child predators are also sexually extorting, or "sextorting," the minors into producing additional and increasingly graphic images and videos. During Operation iGuardian, HSI and ICAC investigators encountered various child predators chatting online with minors about sexual topics, sending them obscene images, encouraging them to produce nude or sexual photos and videos, and attempting to meet them in person to engage in sexual activity. We want children to know that it's wrong for any adult to solicit or pressure them for sex and that the law is on their side."Īccording to investigators, a "disturbing trend" is emerging in which child predators are increasingly using the Internet to entice children to produce and share sexually explicit material online. Child abusers prowl social media looking for opportunities to force young people into sexual exploitation through guile, deceit, and extortion. "Children and parents need to understand that not everyone online is who they say they are. "Protecting our youth in the digital age requires all of us to be on the lookout for child predators abusing and extorting victims online," said ICE Director John Morton.
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