07-03-2009, 04:57 PM
Four arrested in child predator sting by new task force
by Michelle Hunter, The Times-Picayune
Monday June 29, 2009, 5:27 PM
Four men were arrested after a four-day online child predator sting last week by the Louisiana Electronic Crimes Task Force, according to Darin Lake, assistant to the special agent in charge for the Secret Service's New Orleans Office. The task force, comprised of several local law enforcement agencies, handles cyber crimes including hacking, identity theft and child pornography, according to Lake.
Several individual agencies such as the Kenner Police Department and the Louisiana Attorney General's Office already tackle online predators. But this is the first foray for the Electronic Crimes Task Force.
"We thought it would be a good idea to join together on the task force to do a bigger sting," Lake said.
Participants included the State Police, the U.S. Marshal's Service, Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as well as deputy sheriffs from St. John the Baptist, Tangipahoa and St. Landy's Parishes.
"We were able to throw a lot more bodies at the problem," Lake said.
Task force members arrested Jeffery Smith, 41, of Wylie, Texas, Shawn Vincent, 30, of New Orleans; Billy Farmer, 30, of Ponchatoula; and Brandon Thibodeaux, 25, of Houma. All were booked with computer-aided solicitation of a minor, according to Lake.
Warrants have been issued for several more suspects, but Lake would not say how many. For now, the suspects have been booked with state charges, but the U.S. Attorney's Office is reviewing the case for any federal violations.
"This demonstrates that there are people out there preying on minors though the Internet. Parents and kids should take steps to educate themselves on these threats," Lake said.
.......
Parents can get more information about Internet safety for children by visiting http://www.NetSmartz411.org, an online service provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Michelle Hunter can be reached at mhunter@timespicayune.com or 504.883.7054.
by Michelle Hunter, The Times-Picayune
Monday June 29, 2009, 5:27 PM
Four men were arrested after a four-day online child predator sting last week by the Louisiana Electronic Crimes Task Force, according to Darin Lake, assistant to the special agent in charge for the Secret Service's New Orleans Office. The task force, comprised of several local law enforcement agencies, handles cyber crimes including hacking, identity theft and child pornography, according to Lake.
Several individual agencies such as the Kenner Police Department and the Louisiana Attorney General's Office already tackle online predators. But this is the first foray for the Electronic Crimes Task Force.
"We thought it would be a good idea to join together on the task force to do a bigger sting," Lake said.
Participants included the State Police, the U.S. Marshal's Service, Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as well as deputy sheriffs from St. John the Baptist, Tangipahoa and St. Landy's Parishes.
"We were able to throw a lot more bodies at the problem," Lake said.
Task force members arrested Jeffery Smith, 41, of Wylie, Texas, Shawn Vincent, 30, of New Orleans; Billy Farmer, 30, of Ponchatoula; and Brandon Thibodeaux, 25, of Houma. All were booked with computer-aided solicitation of a minor, according to Lake.
Warrants have been issued for several more suspects, but Lake would not say how many. For now, the suspects have been booked with state charges, but the U.S. Attorney's Office is reviewing the case for any federal violations.
"This demonstrates that there are people out there preying on minors though the Internet. Parents and kids should take steps to educate themselves on these threats," Lake said.
.......
Parents can get more information about Internet safety for children by visiting http://www.NetSmartz411.org, an online service provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Michelle Hunter can be reached at mhunter@timespicayune.com or 504.883.7054.