FBI in Utah Lead Nation in Porn Busts

FBI in Utah Lead Nation in Porn Busts


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Amanda Butterfield ReportingUtah's got a problem: pornography. The bust of a University of Utah professor is just one of way to many FBI arrests. It's not just Utah, but a couple of surrounding states too, that have a problem. The arrest number could be so high because the FBI here puts so much effort into getting these suspects.

Patrick Kiernan/SLC FBI: "The Salt Lake division of the FBI, comprised of Utah, Montana, Idaho leads the country in child porn and enticement over the internet cases."

Los Angelos, New York City, Houston, Miami -- they've got nothing on Utah when it comes to the internet and porn.

Patrick Kiernan/SLC FBI: "You name the city, we have more arrests and convictions and sentence for these types of cases then any other FBI field office."

FBI in Utah Lead Nation in Porn Busts

Dr. William Zwiebel is the most recent example. A professor of Radiology at the University of Utah, he had hundreds of pornographic videos and pictures involving kids, on his work computer.

Patrick Kiernan, SLC FBI: "We just see so much of these child porn cases, it's a continuing problem in the community."

One of the reasons for the high number of arrests could be because the FBI here takes this crime very, very seriously.

Patrick Kiernan, SLC FBI: "We do run aggressive program. If it comes to our attention people are engaged in this kind of activity, we're going to go after them, not going to turn a blind eye to it."

There's a special task force in place and they work closely with local agencies. That's how Zwieble was caught.

FBI in Utah Lead Nation in Porn Busts

Once a suspect is caught, it's not over. The FBI has got to find and help the victim.

Patrick Kiernan/SLC FBI: "There are kids, young, had photo taken, video engaged in sex with adults, they are victims here. It's not just someone looking at pictures, they're real kids in these pictures."

Zwiebel was in court this morning for a detention hearing. If found guilty, he'll spend at least five years in federal prison.

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