The Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood seeks to combat child sexual exploitation via the Internet. With the growth of Skype and Facebook and the increasing availability of Google and iPhones, it's simply becoming easier for predators to locate children online. One recent investigation lead to the September 12, 2012, arrest of James S. Allen, 36, New Baltimore, MI, who was charged in a federal criminal Complaint with
- cyberstalking,
- trafficking in computer passwords, and
- making harassing telephone calls.
NOTE: The charges in a Complaint are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
According to the Complaint, between June 24 and August 14, 2012, Allen utilized the Internet and text messages to communicate with at least 10 female victims (many of them minors) in the Western District of New York, in an effort to obtain pornographic pictures.
Allegedly, Allen contacted the victims and falsely told them that he had found naked pictures of them on the Internet. Allen then directed the victims to a specific website to view the pictures – this site was used by Allen to “phish” information such as his victim’s email addresses and passwords. Once in receipt of the phished information, Allen seized control of the victim’s e-mail accounts, contacted the victims, and threatened that if they did not engage in a Skype video chat with him, he would distribute naked photos of the victims over the Internet.
For those victims who logged onto Skype with Allen, he then demanded that they take off their clothes and engage in sexual conduct, with the further threat that naked pictures of them would be sent out to all of Western New York if the girl did not comply.
The charges against Allen carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Federal prosecutors ask that if you or someone you know may have had contact with Allen, or a user on Skype with the screen name “shhh.shhh,” please call the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 1-800-320-0682 and leave a message with your contact information.
Further tips regarding online safety can by be found by visiting www.netsmartz.org or www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/parent-guide.
