Inter-agency Cooperation Key to Successful Investigations in 2009

Member-agencies of the Arizona ICAC cooperatively participated in many important investigations in 2009.  Additional financial support came from the Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's ICAC Task Force Grant Program and included funds from the 2009 Recovery Act.

- Calendar Year 2009 -
Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
Selected Notable Investigations

• The brief narratives below represent a few of the notable 2009 investigations completed through the cooperative efforts of Arizona ICAC Task Force partnerships state and nationwide. Additional financial support to some of the agencies mentioned below comes from the Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention"s ICAC Task Force Grant Program, including funds from the 2009 Recovery Act.
  

• In January, Tempe Police AZ ICAC Task Force detectives executed a successful search warrant for unlawful images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors (commonly referred to as child pornography). Assisting in the case were investigators from Phoenix, Gilbert, Chandler, FBI, ICE and Scottsdale. The suspect, a 38 year old, computer technician was jailed on ten counts of sexual exploitation of a minor for the unlawful images. While in jail awaiting trial the man committed suicide.In March, Gilbert Police AZ ICAC Task Force detectives received a report from a single mother who stated that she met a man via Craigslist on the Internet and after several communications he offered money to engage in sex acts with the woman’s six year old daughter. Gilbert detectives investigated and arrested the man, a 44 year old realtor, who was later indicted on attempt prostitution charges. The case is being prosecuted by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
  

• In March, Phoenix Police AZ ICAC Task Force detectives investigated a Phoenix man who was found to have unlawful images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors on his cellular phone. Investigators learned that the suspect, a 48 year old tile layer had committed several molestation offenses. The man was arrested and is awaiting trial. The case is being prosecuted by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
  

• In March, Phoenix Police AZ ICAC Task Force detectives proactively investigated a Phoenix location suspected to be the source of unlawful image trafficking. A search warrant resulted in evidence of the offenses and admissions from the offender, a 19 year old computer technician and Army National Guard Reserve who also admitted to prior contact molestation offenses. Assisting in the case were investigators from Scottsdale and the FBI. The man was booked for the unlawful image offenses and is awaiting trial. The case is being prosecuted by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
  

• In August, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office AZ ICAC Task Force concluded a proactive investigation that led to the arrest of a Yuma man who used the Internet with the intent to meet a minor for sex. The suspect, a 55 year old, Yuma Proving Grounds employee was charged with luring a minor for sexual exploitation. The suspect drove to Yavapai County, rented a hotel room, brought alcohol and sex toys and drove to the pre-arranged meet location. The suspect is being held on a $500,000 bond. The case is being prosecuted by the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office.
  

• In August, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office AZ ICAC Task Force conducted a proactive investigation resulting in the arrest of a Tucson man who used the Internet with the intent to meet a minor for sex. The suspect, a 32 year old handyman and long time drug user was charged with luring a minor for sexual exploitation. The case is being prosecuted by the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office.
  

• In August, Phoenix Police AZ ICAC Task Force detectives proactively investigated a Maricopa location suspected to be a source of unlawful image trafficking. A search warrant resulted in evidence of the offenses and admissions from the suspect. Assisting in the case were investigators from Pinal County Sheriff’s, Scottsdale, Maricopa, and the FBI. The suspect, a 63 year old retired man was charged with ten counts of sexual exploitation of a minor based on the unlawful images. The case is being prosecuted by Pinal County Attorney’s Office.
  

• In September, the Internet service provider America On-Line, reported unlawful images to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Cybertipline. The case was routed to the Tucson Police AZ ICAC Task Force. The investigation and search warrant resulted in the arrest and confession from the suspect. Assisting in the case were investigators from the Phoenix Police ICAC. The case is being prosecuted by the Pima County Attorney’s Office.
  

• In October, Nebraska State Police ICAC investigators reported that a 15 year old Nebraska minor had been found chatting via the Internet and sending images to a man from Queen Creek Arizona. Pinal County Sheriff’s AZ ICAC investigators served a search warrant at the suspect’s home and seized evidence including images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors. The man, an 18 year old medical student was arrested and is awaiting trial. The case is being prosecuted by the Pinal County Attorney’s Office.
  

• In November, Phoenix Police AZ ICAC Task Force detectives proactively investigated a Phoenix location suspected to be a source of unlawful image trafficking. A search warrant resulted in evidence of the offenses. Assisting in the case were investigators from, Tempe, FBI and ICE. The suspect, a 54 year old school maintenance man, was charged with ten counts of sexual exploitation of a minor for the unlawful images. The case is being prosecuted by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office