U.S. Crackdown On Child Porn Results In 190 Arrests

[News_Editor]

U.S. crackdown on child porn results in 190 arrests < br />

2012-06-09 01:21:42 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- Federal authorities in the United States arrested nearly 200 people last month in a nationwide operation targeting those who possess or produce child pornography, officials said on Friday. Eighteen child victims have also been rescued.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said a vast majority of the 190 arrests were made across the United States, but some suspects were also arrested in Spain, the Philippines, Argentina and the United Kingdom. "Operation Orion", named for a hunter in Greek mythology, began on May 1 and concluded on May 31.

"With the advent of summer vacation, children may have more time and access to the Internet, making this a good time to talk to them about online dangers," said ICE Director John Morton. "Many of the child exploitation cases under Operation Orion began with a child or teen chatting with someone he or she met online."

Specific details about the operation were not released, but among those arrested was 54-year-old Thomas Wright of Bangor, Michigan. He was arrested on May 16 after he allegedly persuaded an underage boy to participate in illegal sexual conduct while he photographed the encounters. He allegedly also secretly videotaped the boy while he was involved in other sexual activity.

Also arrested was 35-year-old Cedric Conner, of Lafayette, Louisiana, who is accused of producing child pornography while sexually abusing a 7-year-old child whom he babysat. Another suspect, 23-year-old Joshua Stewart, of Rochester, New York, is accused of exchanging sexually explicit messages or photographs with a 13-year-old child.

"Let this operation be a warning to anyone who would think they can use the Internet to exploit children: we are out there looking for you, we will find you, and you will be prosecuted," Morton said. ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested a total of 1,455 people last year in connection with child pornography and child sex abuse.

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