By Rina Risper
The New Citizens Press
LANSING, MI- The internet has enriched our lives but it also has become fertile ground for illegal activity. Whether at home, the public library or at school children have access to the internet and are sometimes more computer savvy than their parents. Unfortunately, children aren’t aware that posting too much online is becoming a popular way that child predators reach potential victims. Internet crimes can also lead to kidnapping, sexual molestation, torture and death when the online predator is looking for victims among the naive and unwary.
“Dateline NBC°® series to “Catch a Predator” has been instrumental in identifying potential pedophiles all over the country who engage in explicit e-mail communication with decoy minors.
In the beginning of September, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox announced that his office was instrumental in arresting 200 Internet predators since 2003.
Upon taking office, Cox restructured the criminal division and made child protection a priority of his administration.
"Every day, child predators troll the Internet seeking to exploit our children," said Cox.
Cox reached the 200th mark with the arrest of James Scott Rogers, 44, of Linden. Rogers is charged with using the Internet to commit child sexual abusive activity.
On August 25, Rogers was arrested after attempting to meet with who he thought was the minor he communicated with on the Internet. He was communicating with an undercover volunteer from the citizens’ group Perverted Justice posing as a 14-year old girl. Rogers was also charged with 2 felonies for sending sexually explicit photos to the person he believed was a 14-year old girl.
Rogers was arraigned on August 26, 2008, at 34th District Court in Romulus, before Judge Tina Brooks Green. He is charged with:
One count of child sexually abusive activity, a 20 year felony;
One count of using the Internet to communicate with another to commit child sexually abusive activity, a 20 year felony;
One count of using the Internet to disseminate sexually explicit matter to a minor, a 4 year felony; and,
One count of using the Internet to distribute child sexually abusive material to a minor, a 10 year felony.
Judge Green set Rogers’ bond at $50,000 cash, the defendant is scheduled to be back in court on October 1, 2008. Upon examination of Rogers’ computer, child pornography was discovered; more charges are possible, pending further investigation.
Young children and teenagers are using social networking sites more than other age groups. If you believe your child had contact with Rogers, parents should contact the Attorney General’s office at (313) 456-0180.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Anyone Can be a Predator!!!
Daniel Allen Everett, capture number 198 of Clarkston, Michigan, was arrested for using the Internet to arrange a meeting for sex with a minor. Everett was arrested in Novi where he is alleged to have appeared to meet the minor for sex. He was arrested wearing a T-shirt with the words, "World’s Greatest Dad". His brazen act shows that anyone could be a potential predator.
After Everett was in custody Cox said, "Today’s arrest is a reminder that a parent can pose a threat to our children. And no matter how "great" a criminal thinks they are, if you intend to harm or solicit children, my office is coming after you.”
Cox said that Mr. Everett’s photo was provided in order to encourage other possible underage victims to identify the perpetrator.
Attorney General investigators arrested Everett, 33, for chatting online with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl that he met in a chatroom. Everett engaged in graphic sexual conversation with an undercover agent and propositioned the agent, who was posing as a 14-year-old girl, to meet him for sex. Everett was arrested in Novi where he appeared to meet the minor for sex.
Everett is currently imprisoned at Men’s Huron Valley Complex on 1 count of Child Sexually Abusive Activity, a 20-year felony, and 1 count of Using the Internet to Commit Child Sexually Abusive Activity, a 20-year felony. Everett may be out in 3 years.
Be Active and Informed
Parents are encouraged to check their children’s buddy lists says the Attorney General. At their website at www.michigan.gov/ag the Attorney General Office cites the e-mail address that was used in by the predator in a press releases.
There are many websites to inform parents about teenage internet use. Parents are the best line of defense against cyber crime against children. Teens have established significant presence on social networking. Most have a MySpace, Friendster, or Xanga account. Half have also posted pictures of themselves online and other information that could provide clues to what your children enjoy doing or are involved in.
One website at www.netzmsmartz.com helps parents navigate through the constant cryptic lifestyle of today’s teenager.
NetSmatz411 is a guide for those seeking information to inquire about internet safety. Questions that can be answered at www.netsmartz411.org include:
* How do I find my child’s MySpace URL?
* How do I delete my child’s MySpace profile?
* What is MocoSpace?
* What is MissBimbo.com?
* How do I limit access to the Internet on a PSP?
* Should parents have access to their child’s accounts?
* What do online abbreviations/acronyms mean?
* How do I select the right monitoring software for my family?
* Should my child or teen have a cell phone? What are the risks?
Because of the seriousness of the problem of Internet predators, Michigan Attorney General Cox also created an education curriculum that his Department teaches in schools throughout Michigan called the Child Safety Initiative (Michigan CSI).
The initiative is broken into four classes, targeting grades, K-1, 2-3, 4-6, and a community seminar aimed at educating teachers, parents and community leaders. The program has received national praise and reached more than 214,000 students in the 2007-08 school year, and began its second season last week.
For more information on how to protect your child from Internet predators visit www.michigan.gov/csi.
