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Sam Penrod ReportingEarlier this month, an Eyewitness News investigation exposed the growing crime of Internet predators. Today, the federal government announced a program to help local police crack down on predators.
It means local police will have much more federal help in prosecuting Internet predators. And for predators, it means they can face hard time in federal prison if they are caught.
A new federal crackdown on Internet predators and those who deal in child pornography, under a program called Project Safe Childhood. The US Department of Justice is giving federal prosecutors more resources to help local police fight Internet predators than ever before.
Alberto Gonzales, US Attorney General: "It is not an exaggeration to say that we're in the midst of epidemic of abuse and exploitation of our children."
An Eyewitness News investigation uncovered what appears to be a revolving door for some Internet predators. But now, stiff federal penalties could apply to suspects arrested by local police departments. Federal prosecutors here in Utah say they will take on more cases for prosecution.
Stephen Sorenson, Acting US Attorney For Utah: "For those who would exploit children, collecting or distribution child pornography or enticing children over the Internet, there is an enforcement that is increasing all the time, so don't do it."
Federal prosecutors have already taken the most serious offenders to court, where they face minimum mandatory sentences. But with the growth of the Internet, the number of cases are soaring and are more widespread than they ever thought.
Stephen Sorenson, Acting US Attorney For Utah: "This is really, as you can tell, a horrible scourge nationwide, we ought to be very concerned about. And we are pressing ahead with all the enforcement efforts at our disposal."
Prosecutors say no child predator should think they can get away with crimes against children anymore, especially cyber crimes.
Stephen Sorenson, Acting US Attorney For Utah: "Don't do it in the first place, because along the way, someplace, law enforcement will catch up to you. This is a serious societal problem."
We've seen from our own investigation just how brazen these predators can be. Tonight, Dateline NBC continues its series, to catch a predator. It can be seen tonight at 8:00.
