Child Pornography: - Center for Problem-Oriented Policing

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abuse cases, identify children who are depicted in pornography, and aggressively investigate sexual predators. 481 It also charges perpetrators with a separate crime for each child victim, arguing that pornography is evidence of child molestation—a more serious offense under Texas law. This approach often results in much lengthier sentences. For example, in a case involving 15 identified victims photographed at a nudist colony, the perpetrator received 7 consecutive life sentences. 482 Federal Agency Task Force on Missing and Exploited Children Created to improve the federal response to missing and exploited children, the Federal Agency Task Force on Missing and Exploited Children serves as an advocate for child victims and their families, coordinates federal resources and services, and fosters increased cooperation and communication among federal agencies. The Task Force includes representatives from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children; the US Postal Service; and the Departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Justice, State, and Treasury. 483 Benefits of Special Task Forces The SAFE Team, the Dallas CEU, the Federal Agency Task Force, and other task forces are examples of effective programs used by law-enforcement agencies to combat child sexual exploitation. These special task forces offer federal, state, and local law-enforcement agencies many advantages including • the explicit dedication of manpower and resources • a formalized structure for sharing expertise and equipment • an extensive communications network to prevent duplicative efforts and maximize impact • an increased esprit de corps among task force members and the community 484 As noted, special task forces may be most effective in jurisdictions with significant childsexual-abuse caseloads and available resources; however, the structure, principles, and success of these groups offer valuable insight to law-enforcement agencies at any level. Strike Forces Under the strike-force model of law enforcement no core staff is dedicated exclusively to the team as there is under the special-task-force model. Rather team members come together from individual agencies only in response to a particular case. 485 Consequently strike forces do not operate from a central location nor do they have a dedicated pool of equipment or resources. Strike-force members are likely to have significant experience and expertise in the area of child sexual exploitation. 486 The strike-force model is most often found in jurisdictions where child-sexual-exploitation cases are less common or where resources are more limited. 487 Characteristics of Strike Forces No Central Location Few Dedicated Resources Mobilize Efforts as Needed Limited Caseloads Victim Services CHILD PORNOGRAPHY: THE CRIMINAL-JUSTICE-SYSTEM RESPONSE - 49
Child Sexual Exploitation Strike Force One nationally recognized model strike force is the Child Sexual Exploitation Strike Force of the US Postal Inspection Service, Northern Illinois Division. This Strike Force was established in the late 1980s when law-enforcement agents from several organizations in Illinois discovered that they often investigated the same cases resulting in duplicated efforts and wasted resources. 488 The group includes a US Postal Inspector, four investigators from the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department, three investigators from the Chicago Police Department, and a Cook County State's Attorney's Office investigator. It maintains strong ties with numerous federal, state, and local law-enforcement units including the FBI and Illinois State Police. 489 These ties allow the Strike Force to call on individual agents with specialized expertise as needed on a case-by-case basis. Since its inception the Strike Force has focused much of its work on fighting online solicitation and pornography. Strike-Force investigators, who have been deputized as US Marshals, use covert mail and electronic correspondence to apprehend those seeking to send or receive child pornography. 490 The investigators also arrange to meet with individuals seeking children to include in pornography productions. 491 When child victims are identified the Strike Force works with local advocacy centers to obtain interviews and provide services. As with many of its other resources these services are arranged on a case-by-case basis. Law Enforcement Effort Against Child Harm A second highly regarded strike force is the Law Enforcement Effort Against Child Harm (LEACH). Working in southern Florida, LEACH is a voluntary collaboration among law-enforcement agencies to address cases of child sexual exploitation. It operates under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) drafted by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office that seeks to combine the missions of several law-enforcement agencies in southern Florida. 492 The MOU encompasses a wide range of state, local, and federal offices including US Customs, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and several local law-enforcement agencies. It covers such issues as LEACH's purpose, mission, and jurisdiction; goals, objectives, and chain-of-command; equipment, record-keeping, and asset-sharing requirements; procedures, deadlines, and communications with the press. 493 Using its network of experts LEACH conducts covert operations on computer bulletinboard systems to identify, apprehend, and assist in the prosecution of child sex offenders and child pornographers involved in computer-related child pornography. 494 One member of the team is dedicated to work on these cases full-time actively monitoring cyberspace for evidence of child sexual exploitation. 495 In the roughly 20 percent of cases where a child victim is identifiable, LEACH works with experienced child-abuse investigators from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, their state police, or local jurisdictions to conduct interviews and provide referrals for victim services. 496 LEACH also eases the burden on its resources by pursuing federal action against perpetrators whenever possible. 497 In addition LEACH promotes the need for education within the community to reduce the risk of youth involvement in sexual exploitation. 498 Strike-force members routinely conduct public-awareness presentations using a short video. 499 They also actively participate in community-education programs sponsored by such organizations as local parent-teacher associations, homeowners' associations, city commissioners, and court officers. 500 50 - CHILD PORNOGRAPHY: THE CRIMINAL-JUSTICE-SYSTEM RESPONSE
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Child Pornography: The Criminal-Jus
Page 3 and 4: Acknowledgments This publication wo
Page 5 and 6: Investigating Child Pornography Cas
Page 7 and 8: eing is the subject. With the help
Page 9 and 10: The Child Pornographer: Consumer, C
Page 11 and 12: professions and social classes. Des
Page 13 and 14: victims are being recruited, seduce
Page 15 and 16: coupled with extortion, can make re
Page 17 and 18: Legal Analysis How does the legal s
Page 19 and 20: the court ruled that the requiremen
Page 21 and 22: such as paintings, drawings, and sc
Page 23 and 24: Another area of legislative action
Page 25 and 26: For instance Section 2251 may apply
Page 27 and 28: Other Applicable Federal Statutes C
Page 29 and 30: For example federal sentencing guid
Page 31 and 32: State Law Every state and the Distr
Page 33 and 34: As demonstrated by Alaska's statute
Page 35 and 36: may only be prosecuted for a single
Page 37 and 38: Affirmative Defenses A number of st
Page 39 and 40: the state Court of Appeals has foun
Page 41 and 42: • member states must encourage us
Page 43 and 44: First World Congress Against Commer
Page 45 and 46: Seized child pornography may help g
Page 47 and 48: When the warrant is based on the su
Page 49 and 50: United States Customs Service Unite
Page 51 and 52: Federal Bureau of Investigation: Cr
Page 53: Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement T
Page 57 and 58: Benefits of Law-Enforcement Network
Page 59 and 60: it seeks new ways to control the fl
Page 61 and 62: ecuting child-sexual-exploitation c
Page 63 and 64: Conduct Additional Research While a
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Endnotes 1. The Internet isaglobal
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48. Lanning, CHILD MOLESTERS, supra
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99. Belanger, Albert J. et al., Typ
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139. RONALD B. FLOWERS, CHILDREN AN
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207. See 18U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4) (19
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117, or under the laws of any State
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(a) Whoever knowingly persuades, in
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267. Id. 268. U.S.S.G. § 2G2.2 (b)
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pornography via Internet did not vi
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376. Sexual Abuse of Children, Chil
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424. INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION
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473. Id. at 31. 474. Id. 475. Id. 4
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541. Whitcomb & Eastin, supra note
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Fergusson, David M., L. John Horwoo
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McLeer, Susan V., et al., Psychopat
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Resources on the Topic of Child Por
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Enough is Enough (888) 2Enough (1.8
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Maryland Maryland State Police Atte
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National Center for Missing & Explo
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