Molestation, child porn arrests made: 61 people held after investigation targeting sex offenders

By Paula Lloyd, The Fresno Bee

08/28/08

The message to child molesters who target Valley children is this: "You have to go through us."

U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott gave that warning Thursday as he announced the arrest of 61 people on child pornography and molestation charges.

He said investigators and prosecutors have seen a "profound change" in the sexual exploitation of children. "In the old days, we could lock our doors and windows to protect our children. Now sexual predators come electronically into our homes."

The investigation targeted known sex offenders because there is "an absolute connection between people who molest children and create and distribute child pornography," Scott said.

The arrests capped a monthlong investigation involving officials from more than 30 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The investigation was conducted between July 27 and Aug. 22 and was coordinated under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Justice Project Safe Childhood program.

Project Safe Childhood seeks to increase federal prosecutions of violent sexual predators and to reduce child pornography and sexual solicitation of minors on the Internet.

The program also seeks to teach community groups, schools, parents and children how to safely use the Internet and avoid online sexual predators.

Scott said 16 of those arrested have been indicted on federal and state charges and/or federal criminal complaints have been lodged against them, mostly for creating, possessing and distributing child pornography and for child molestation.

Most of the 15 men and one woman who were indicted are from the Valley, but one man is from New York and another from Michigan.

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