South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Deborah R.J. Shupe Assistant Attorney General Task Force Commander

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1 South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Deborah R.J. Shupe Assistant Attorney General Task Force Commander

2 The S.C. ICAC Task Force South Carolina was one of 10 original task forces formed in 1998 SC Task Force administered by the SC Attorney General s Office - Dedicated Statewide Prosecutor Partnered with SLED, NCMEC, USSS, FBI, ICE and military investigative services - Works with S.C. Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole to facilitate closer supervision of sex offenders with computer restrictions - Works with S.C. School Resource Officers Association to promote Internet Safety in S.C. schools 31 local law enforcement agencies have signed MOUs with the Attorney General s Office to participate on the Task

3 The S.C. ICAC Task Force Original Focus ( ) Education and Community Awareness

4 The S.C. ICAC Task Force Since 2004, the Task Force focuses on: Proactive (Undercover) Investigations Reactive Investigations Prosecutions Child Victim Identifications Distribution of Child Pornography 2006 Initiative Project Safe Childhood

5 The S.C. ICAC Task Force A Good State Law

6 ICAC Solicitation Cases Effective April 26, 2004 Criminal Solicitation of a Minor S.C. Code Ann A person 18 yrs. or older commits the offense of criminal solicitation of a minor if he knowingly contacts or communicates with a person under 18 (or someone reasonably believed to be under 18), for the purpose of or w/the intent of persuading, inducing, enticing, or coercing the person to engage in sexual activity or a violent crime OR with the intent to perform a sexual activity in the presence of the minor

7 Unique to South Carolina (D): It is not a defense that person reasonably believed to be under 18 is a law enforcement officer acting officially in an undercover capacity.

8 Child Pornography Cases Sentences enhanced in 2004 SEM 1 st Degree: 3 20 years (mandatory minimum no part suspended and no parole) SEM 2 nd Degree: 2 10 years (mandatory minimum no part suspended and no parole) SEM 3 rd Degree: 0 10 years

9 The S.C. ICAC Task Force Growth

10 From O Local Agencies

11 From June 2005 August Local Agencies

12 From June 2005 February Local Agencies

13 The S.C. ICAC Task Force Success

14 ICAC Solicitation Cases As of March 5, Solicitation Arrests - 41 Pending Cases - 23 Convictions - 10 Child Pornography Arrests - 7 Pending Cases - 3 Convictions

15 The S.C. ICAC Task Force A Few Good Cases

16 REAL TEENAGE VICTIM IN THIS CASE Kevin Vance - 35 years old Traveled from NC to Spartanburg Solicited 13 year-old girl in Spartanburg for sex He traveled to meet her this was an Undercover ICAC agent this was not Previously Molested a 14 year-old in NC Continued Molestation relationship for 2 Years Pled Guilty in SC Serving a 20 Year Sentence Charges Pending in NC

17 REAL TEENAGE VICTIM IN THIS CASE Steven Gunter - 52 years old Traveled from Columbia to Aiken Solicited 14 year-old girl in Aiken for sex Traveled to meet her this was an Undercover ICAC agent this was not Previously Molested a 14 year-old in Sumter Continued Molestation relationship for 2 Years Videotaped at least 2 sexual encounters Supplied with marijuana and champagne Pled Guilty Serving one 10 Year / two 15 Year Sentences Running concurrent

18 The S.C. ICAC Task Force State and Federal Cooperative Effort

19 William H. Gaines, Jr. Employee at family-owned Toy Store Referred to SC by the Pennsylvania ICAC TF First ICAC Solicitation case to go to trial in SC Found Guilty on 3 counts of Criminal Solicitation of a Minor Sentenced to 10 Years (each count / concurrent) Suspended to 4 Years Incarceration / 5 Years Probation United States Attorney s Office Provided Video TeleConferencing Equipment Allowed original ICAC agent in Pennsylvania (unable to travel for medical reasons) to lay the foundation of the prior bad acts through video deposition

20 David Charles Brown At-Large Fugitive from January April 2006 SLED Fugitive Team Assisted Local Law Enforcement Pled Guilty in June 2006 in State Court on 2 counts of Criminal Solicitation of a Minor Sentenced to 10 Years Suspended to 5 Years Incarceration / 5 Years Probation Forensics done on his computer revealed a large collection of child pornography Case has been referred to the U.S. Attorney s Office for prosecution under federal law

21 Yuri McGee Enlisted as Active-duty U.S. Army Trading Child Pornography from his apartment on Ft. Jackson. Used Peer-to-Peer Network to exchange child pornography South Carolina ICAC Agents investigated the case as part of a nationwide Task Force undercover initiative utilizing software developed by the Wyoming Task Force Case Reviewed by U.S. Attorney s Office and Army Judge Advocate General Prosecuted by the Army JAG Convicted via Court Martial Sentenced to 2.5 years hard time at Leavenworth Military Justice System requires he serve his time day for day ( NO Early Release )

22 Errol Boudle Referral from the Ohio ICAC to SLED. Solicited Ohio Undercover posing as a minor online Indicted on one count of Criminal Solicitation of a Minor Charged under South Carolina law since he solicited from his residence located in South Carolina Prosecution Pending

23 As a result of our growth and successes, the Task Force is now seeking state funds to supplement the federal grant funds, and to foster continued growth, enhanced training opportunities and facilitate more cooperative efforts involving federal, state and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.

24 South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force rg