Web Cops Tighten Net On Sex Offenders
Law enforcement investigators who focus on sex crimes against children believe the number of adults attempting to arrange sex with kids via the Internet is increasing.
Nearly 1,600 people in the United States faced federal charges for sex crimes against children or having kiddie porn in their possession during 2005.
Many investigators have their own theories as to the seemingly upward trend in Internet-related sex crimes against children. Dennis Guzy, head of Pennsylvania’s Child Predator Unit, believes the large amount of child pornography available online encourages perpetrators to prey on children in chat rooms.
Guzy’s unit has made a total of 53 arrests since the start of last year. Guzy adds that perpetrators are driven by “an irresistible urge” that can cause them to dismiss their concerns about being caught by police.
Kenneth Lanning, who was a member of the FBI’s Behavioral Sciences Unit, adds that online predators’ actions are “need-driven” rather than the result of thought.
The Justice Department is providing money for 46 Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Rocky Mountain News (07/17/06); Ove, Torsten .
