Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force: Operation Creep Sweep

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SACRAMENTO COUNTY,  CA  –  “Detectives from the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Task Force/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), have been conducting long-term proactive investigations into subjects who have been using the internet to share Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), sometimes referred to as child pornography. Subjects involved in these activities now use very deliberate and sophisticated methods to send and receive CSAM to avoid detection.

During these investigations, Detectives identified specific targets based on their higher level of sophistication, the quantity of files they have shared, people in positions of trust, and potential access to live victims. These targets were located in several counties throughout Northern California, including Yuba, Sutter, Yolo, Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Siskiyou, Mendocino, and Nevada counties.

ICAC Detectives worked with almost 30 affiliate members to conduct follow-up investigations, including surveillance, writing additional search warrants, and providing logistics, manpower, local histories, and additional resources. After this initial investigation was conducted, 21 targets were selected.

During three weeks in September, detectives served search warrants at 21 locations related to these investigations in these nine counties. The suspects were from various occupations and backgrounds, including a pilot, scientific researcher, parents, mechanics, IT, independent contractors, engineers, and some retired individuals.

In this operation, Detectives were able to rescue two children under the age of four who were being sexually assaulted by a relative. These incidents had not been reported to anyone prior, including law enforcement or CPS. At another location, detectives located 30 illegal firearms inside the suspect’s residence. One suspect was found to have more than 4,600 files of CSAM and more than 27,000 files of child erotica.

Over 200 electronic devices were seized as evidence, as well as physical compact discs and other media storage devices filled with CSAM and books with child erotica. Among the CSAM located, was BDSM (Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission) and CSAM by torture. Detectives seized 61 devices from one residence alone.

After the initial residential search warrants, detectives conducted additional follow-ups (and continued) with additional search warrants, conducting forensics of the electronics, additional interviews, and submitted arrest warrants for suspects.

While some of these arrest warrants have been obtained, others are still pending the review of the forensics on the electronic devices. At least two of these cases are under review for federal charges. Detectives learned one suspect had resigned from his job the day after the search warrant was conducted and fled the country after he learned of the investigation.

• Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office