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HCSO to have Internet predator investigator
May 30, 2009 (Norwalk Reflector - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
The Huron County Sheriff's Office will be joining forces with the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) to investigate and arrest Internet-based child predators and suspects involved in child pornography.
Capt. Ted Patrick said there is no specific deputy in mind right now for the responsibility, but the sheriff's office is seeking someone who is "computer savvy." The deputy, whose work load will be based on calls from the community, is expected to receive free training sometime this year.
"We hope to get in classes this summer," Patrick said.
The sheriff's office hopes ICAC will provide a free computer for the online investigator to use.
"They'll be doing regular road patrol as well," Patrick said. "Once the training is completed and the computer is in place, we'll have it up and running."
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason created the Ohio version of ICAC in 2000 through a Department of Justice grant. Because the task force covers the entire state, each member of ICAC has access to its database.
"You share information with all 88 counties. ... They (ICAC) will help you with any investigative help you may need," Patrick said.
The sheriff's office isn't the only area law enforcement agency to partner with ICAC.
The Wakeman Police Department has used part-time Officer Josh Rice as its online investigator since 2006. He uses a laptop computer owned by the department funded by the Wakeman Eagles 4354. As of December 2008, Rice had investigated about 40 Internet child pornography cases, resulting in numerous convictions.
Norwalk Police Detective Dave Pigman, also the department DARE officer, has been the ICAC liaison for his agency since late 2006. Pigman said he has submitted multiple cases to the Huron County Prosecutor's Office as well as other Ohio authorities, the latter of which have netted convictions.
"I used to have a lot more time to do it," he said, adding he has been working his current case for the last week.
For Pigman, some of the advantages of ICAC is being able to contact similar online investigators across the United States. The task force membership also allows him to use Net Smartz, an Internet safety program for multiple grades in schools and I Safe, a community-oriented program.
Also partnered with ICAC is the Erie County Sheriff's Office and Perkins Township Police Department.
Detective Sgt. Jared Oliver and Detective Nick Kotsopoulos use an Erie County computer dedicated to online investigations. Their work has resulted in convictions of defendants living in Brook Park, Vermilion and Berlin Heights.
"We do it as time permits," Oliver said.
To see more of the Norwalk Reflector or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to
http://www.norwalkreflector.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, Norwalk Reflector, Ohio
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