March 8, 2007

University of Texas-Pan American Professor Caught in Child Pornography Sting

                Brian Butler, a professor of history for the UTPA was arrested for possession of child pornography. He accepted several images over the internet from undercover FBI agents giving them precedent for a search warrant. A later investigation of his computer uncovered over 400 pornographic photos. Because of these findings, the community is worried that he may pose a threat since he lives nearby a local middle school. The prosecution is claiming that 80% of people involved in child pornography have had some form of sexual contact between themselves and a victim in order to file Butler as a potential sexual abuser and ensure that he must register as a sex offender following conviction.

                The FBI claims that these types of stings are still ongoing. Cases of child pornography are aggressively pursued by the FBI and are one of their top priorities. The stings are performed all over the internet both inside the U.S. and internationally.

 

Sept 18, 2006

Child Porn Sting against Minors

                Milwaukee police uncovered the possession of internet child pornography by minors. When investigation a child pornography operation it is impossible to determine who is sitting behind the computer. The intention of the investigations is to find adults who are engaged in activities with child porn. When the police entered the homes through search warrants, they were surprised to learn that it was in fact minors. Over 2006, four minors were charged with possession of child pornography in Milwaukee. Eleven adults were arrested through the same sting operation.

                Although the punishments for child pornography are extremely harsh and include up to 25 years in prison, the judge decided to sentence them differently. One boy was let off with 1 year probation and mandatory therapy. All of the adolescents were good students, living in normal homes. They had no idea that what they were doing was a serious crime.

 

Mar 16, 2006

Internet Chat Room Shut Down with Live Child Molestation Video

                The justice department and the immigration department shut down a website called “Kiddypics & Kiddyvids” through an undercover sting operation. Twenty seven people were charged with child pornography offenses by the federal authorities. Three people, Brian A. Arroreno, Gregory J. Sweezer and Lisa A. Winebrenner were charged with conspiracy to possess, receive and distribute child pornography. Although the website did not generate profit, it allowed access to many different individuals. Of those charged with other child pornography crimes, thirteen came from the United States, nine from Canada, three from Australia and two from England. The website had a high level of security and was difficult to access. It required permission from the administrators and often the trade of child pornography before being admitted. Its security measures made it difficult for federal law enforcement to fully investigate and prosecute the site for a long time. Winebrenner, who was accused of serving as the chat room host did not have pornographic images on her computer and allegedly purged the images before it was investigated.