Worcester County Sheriff's Dept. Partners With Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

Monday ~ December 9, 2013
Worcester County Sheriff's Dept.

(Snow Hill)  Worcester County Sheriff Reggie Mason announced a new initiative to combat crimes against children by partnering with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). 

The ICAC Task Force was created to help Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies enhance their investigative responses to offenders who use the Internet, online communication systems, or computer technology to sexually exploit children. The Program is funded by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

“The ICAC Program is a national network of 61 coordinated task forces representing over 3,000 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies”, said Sheriff Mason, “…and we join these agencies who are actively engaged in proactive, forensic investigations, and criminal prosecutions.”

The new system employs a meta data crawler to search for potential Child Pornography being disseminated in Worcester County and the surrounding area. 

Once evidence is located, further investigation is required to identify violators and make criminal arrests. Sheriff Mason and Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby look to their affiliation with the ICAC Task Force to further strengthen the fight against child abusers and exploiters in Worcester County. 

“This new tool furthers the mission of Worcester County’s Child Advocacy Center,” said State’s Attorney Ogelsby. “It allows law enforcement to take a proactive stand against those who prey upon our most vulnerable population…our children”. 

In 2009, the first ever Child Advocacy Center was opened in Worcester County staffed by a Worcester County Sheriff’s Detective, an Assistant State’s Attorney, and members of the Maryland Department of Social Services. It has provided a safe environment for the victims of child abuse to be interviewed and for a coordinated effort to take place which minimizes potential trauma to victims of abuse.

By joining the ICAC Task force, Sheriff Mason, State’s Attorney Oglesby, and the Worcester County Government have strengthened their fight against child abuse.