2014 Cases and Arrests

215 Arrests–70 Children Saved

Case highlights for 2014

In January of 2014, during an investigation by the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, (Phoenix Police) and the FBI Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, investigators intercepted images of young children who were being sexually abused, it was learned the images were being traded from a residence. The suspect had one of the largest collections in Arizona. Numerous files were located to include infants. Investigators discovered that 3 children and an adult male and adult female lived at the residence. The suspect was contacted and interviewed, the suspect admitted to being the person trading the images. In addition, the suspect admitted he was currently molesting a child since she was 7 years old. That child was located and rescued by investigators. The suspect admitted he is sexually attracted to children under 9 years old. The suspect told detectives “I am a dangerous person and will continue to molest children”. Numerous electronic devices were located and several cell phones. A large quantity of child pornography was also located and a 12 gauge shotgun. The suspect was arrested and booked on numerous crimes against children charges.

In February of 2014, during an investigation by the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, (Phoenix Police) and the FBI Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, investigators intercepted images of from a registered sex offender who was sending images to a child. The child was identified and saved. The suspect was interviewed and admitted to the crimes. The suspect was arrested and it was learned he was a registered sex offender.

In March of 2014, during an investigation by the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, (Phoenix Police) and the FBI Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, and California Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)  intercepted images of young children who were being sexually abused, it was learned the images were being traded from a residence. The suspect was identified as a registered sex offender who was contacted and interviewed.  The suspect was arrested and booked on numerous charges of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. The suspect admitted to the crimes. In addition numerous images and videos were found in the residence and letters written to the suspect were located. The letters were from the Philippines and Japan that contained pictures of young female children. The suspect had been writing letters to the parents of the young children. It is unknown if the children are victims at this time.   Additional investigation is being conducted.

In April 2014 Phoenix ICAC obtained information that a suspect was sending images of a young female nude.  The suspect indicated this was his 7 year old daughter. There were also other images that clearly showed the 7 year old girl being sexually exploited and abused. In addition, the suspect indicated he gives the victim Nyquil and then commits the sex acts on her. The suspect also sent additional pictures after writing offensive words on the body of the victim with a black magic marker.  The preliminary information reported the suspect was in the Phoenix area. Detectives learned the suspect was no longer in Arizona and was now in Texas. Investigators stayed with this case and contacted the ICAC and FBI in Texas and together located the suspect. The victim was recovered and the suspect arrested. It was learned the suspect was the focus of another child pornography case and a child molestation case involving another child. There was additional evidence located and interviews were conducted. This case involved three states and several cities. Together the investigators worked non-sop to locate the 7 year old victim. The suspect was charged with multiple child sex crimes. Working together investigators saved this child from further sexual abuse.

 In May 2014 ICAC investigators identified a residence that was trading images and videos of young children being sexually abused. There was a large quantity of images (over 600) that were discovered and intercepted by investigators. The images and movies depicted very young children to include infants being sexually assaulted and physically raped. At the time it was unknown if children were in the home.  A search warrant was served at the residence and the suspect was located. The suspect lives at the residence with other family members. All three of the occupants were combative and argumentative during the search warrant. The evidence was located in the residence on a laptop and a cell phone, a large quantity of child pornography was found. The suspect was interviewed and admitted to the crimes. He also stated he was sexually attracted to very young children. No children were found in the home. The suspect was arrested and booked on sex crimes.

In May 2014 a residence was identified as trading images and videos of young children being sexually abused. There was a large quantity of images (over 1,000) that were discovered and intercepted by investigators. The images and movies depicted very young children to include infants being sexually assaulted. At the time it was unknown if children were in the home.  A search warrant was served at the residence and the suspect was located. The suspect lives at the residence with other family members. The evidence was located in the residence on external media and a large quantity of child pornography was found. The suspect was interviewed and admitted to the crimes. He also stated he was sexually attracted to very young children. He stated he wanted to have sex with a minor and was trying to figure out how to find one. No children were found in the home.  Additional investigative follow-up is being conducted to possibly identify and locate the children in the movies. The suspect was booked on multiple counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. DCAC C2F and Dangerous Crimes Against Children.

In June 2014 2- Victims identified in home and saved from suspects continued abuse. Suspect charged with 32 counts Dangerous Crimes Against Children, 6 children in home. During an online investigation numerous images of child pornography were intercepted. The images depicted very young children being sexually abused. Upon further review, pictures were found that showed 2 young girls were sexually exploited. Immediate response was necessary as we learned there were 6 children living in the home with the suspect. A search warrant was served and the suspect was taken into custody and admitted to possessing child porn. In addition, the warrant at the house revealed he had taken numerous pictures of the victims and created child porn. A large quantity of evidence was recovered.  Interviews of the victim were conducted. Additional interviews to follow. Investigators found numerous pictures of the victim being sexually abused. The suspect was arrested and charged with 32 counts of different sex crimes. Multiple agencies assisted ICAC to include, MCSO, Buckeye and DPS. Investigators spent long hours on this case.  All agencies notified.

In July 2014-During an online investigation it was learned the suspect was communicating with a 13 year old female. He sent images of his privates and spoke to her about sex. The suspect also spoke about additional incidents several years ago when the victim was 10 years old. The victim told a trusted adult and was interviewed forensically by investigators.  Investigators completed interviews, searches and search warrants for the social media accounts. The suspect was contacted and arrested. The suspect was interviewed and made admissions to the acts. The suspect has an extensive criminal history and was booked on several counts of luring and furnishing harmful material to a minor. The child was saved from any further contact from this suspect. The county attorney’s office was notified.

In August 2014 Information was obtained that an adult suspect had produced a number of child pornography images and was molesting the victims, ages 4 thru 10. The victims were interviewed.  There were a number of electronic items of evidence. Investigators conducted search warrants and evidence recovery. While processing the suspect laptop computer images were located of the victims depicting sexual abuse by the suspect. A large amount of images and videos were also recovered and additional evidence was found. The 4 victims were saved from any further sexual abuse.   The suspect was arrested and charged with multiple sex crimes and is facing life in prison.

In September 2014 During a proactive undercover investigation members from the ICAC unit identified a residence that was distributing images depicting young females being sexually exploited. Detectives conducted additional subpoenas and search warrants.  A search warrant was served by SAU and the suspect was interviewed. During the interview the suspect admitted to collecting 200,000 images. The suspect admitted to doing this for the past 35 years. He has access to 2 young 10 year old girls who will be interviewed for any hands on offenses. Digital evidence is being examined to see if the girls had pictures taken of them or were molested. The suspect was also producing and duplicating the images on DVD’s and making his own copies with pictures of the victims on the outside of the DVD. The suspect had several cameras and numerous small child figurines and other pictures of children. The suspect admitted he was sexually attracted to children but denied he molested anyone. The suspect was booked on 10 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor C2F, DCAC

In October 2014 an adult male was arrested and charged with multiple sex offenses against a 10 year old child to include producing and distributing the images and videos he created during the sexual abuse. Investigators identified and saved the 10 year old victim. Detectives from the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force worked together with the Australian Federal police in locating and identifying the suspect and victim.  Investigators learned a suspect was identified in Australia with images depicting the sexual abuse of a 10 year old boy in Arizona. The investigation led detectives to the suspect. During the investigation detectives found over 10,000 chat messages and numerous images of young children being sexually abused to include the young boy that the suspect sexually abused. The suspect is also under investigation for another case involving distributing sexual abuse images by the Chandler Police Department. This is an example of how law enforcement around the world works together to save children from those who seek to harm them. The suspect  was booked into Maricopa County Jail, charged with 9 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (C2F) Dangerous Crimes Against Children, 9 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor production (C2F) Dangerous Crimes Against Children, 5 counts of Child Molestation (C2F) Dangerous Crimes Against Children, 2 counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor (C2F) Dangerous Crimes Against Children.

In November 2014 the suspect a registered sex offender was identified.  The suspect in this case was arrested for multiple counts of child molestation, child pornography and furnishing obscene material to a minor. The victims were ages 4 thru 14. The 4 year old boy disclosed the suspect molested him. The suspect created several fake Facebook accounts and lured a variety of teenage girls; in addition the suspect sent images of his private parts to minors. The suspect also sexually abused another minor and is the suspect in a sexual assault case. ICAC detectives were able to identify the suspect via search warrants, subpoenas, and interviews. The suspect created several fake Facebook accounts and lured minors to him. The suspect is a registered sex offender. A warrant was served at his home and additional evidence was found to include more child pornography and pictures of the other victims. When the suspect was arrested he was meeting a girl with a young 6 year old boy. Another picture of a young 4-6 year old boy was located on the suspect’s computer. The suspect was charged with that image and interviews will be conducted of the children. Suspect booked on multiple charges and is being held non-bondable.

In December 2014 during an online undercover operation the listed residence was identified as trading images and videos of young children being sexually abused. Search warrants were conducted. Investigators conducted a search warrant on the residence. During the warrant investigators found a large quantity of images and videos of young children being sexually abused mostly infants. The suspect admitted to the images and videos and stated he is sexually aroused by the children. Evidence found and suspect confessed. The suspect was booked on 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor C2F.