Pretzel bag a clue to predator
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May 15, 2013 |
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE)
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is
seeking the arrest of an unidentified man for
producing child pornography and the rescue of a
7 to 9-year-old victim of sexual exploitation.
A series of videos showing the suspect sexually
assaulting a young girl, date stamped in April
and posted to the Internet May 2, were
discovered by Danish authorities, who notified
U.S. authorities May 3.
A careful review of the four videos leads
authorities to think the images were made in the
U.S., particularly items in the background,
including a bag of pretzels made and distributed
only in the United States.
A criminal complaint and arrest warrant for
"John Doe" was signed Friday in U.S. District
Court for the District of Columbia. HSI is
seeking any tips about the possible identity or
whereabouts of John Doe, who is believed to be
located somewhere in the United States.
HSI is requesting that anyone with information
about this person contact the agency
immediately, in one of two ways: Call the ICE
Tip Line, which is staffed 24-hours a day (866)
347-2423 from the U.S. and Canada or (802)
872-6199 from anywhere in the world; or complete
an online tip form at
www.ice.gov/tips.
All tips will remain anonymous. Individuals
should not attempt to apprehend the suspect
personally.
HSI's Victim Identification Program seeks to
rescue child victims of sexual abuse and
exploitation and bring the perpetrators to
justice.
This investigation was part of Operation
Predator, a nationwide HSI initiative to protect
children from sexual predators, including those
who travel overseas for sex with minors,
Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex
offenders and child sex traffickers.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected
child predators and any suspicious activity
through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-347-2423
or by completing its online tip form. Both are
staffed around the clock by investigators.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing
children may be reported to the National Center
for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation
Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour
hotline, 1-800-843-5678.
HSI is a founding member and current chair of
the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international
alliance of law enforcement agencies and private
industry sector partners working together to
prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
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