Amy was already using the Internet at the public library and her school. Amy’s mother discovered that Amy had been sharing personal conversations with Bill, whom she had "met" in an online chatroom. Read Amy’s mother’s account of what happened.
A m y ’ s S t o r y
by Anne Collier
...she was not
the first girl
he’d contacted
on the Internet
and lured into
meeting him
in person.
Fifteen-year-old Amy* had been hounding her mother to sign up
for Internet service at home. "I kind of had a fear of it," said her
mother Sara. "I'd come home with newspaper articles I'd read
about kids being lured by adults they'd met online." But Amy was
already using the Internet at the public library and school anyway.
"She set up her own...account [with a password and free E-mail]."
Sara found out that Amy had been sharing many personal
conversations with Bill, whom she had "met" in an online
chatroom. They discussed her desire to live her life differently.
Bill was "sympathetic" to Amy's dreams and desires. By getting
to know and sympathizing with her concerns or fears, Bill was
able to break down her inhibitions.
When Amy didn't come home one night, Sara knew something
was wrong. So she began a search of Amy's room. "I found
a note [Amy] wrote saying she was 98 percent sure she was
going to do this [trip]. The note said she'd be getting on a bus."
At this same time, Amy was at the bus station on the telephone
with Bill. He was saying, "You can't go home now, because
I'll get caught." Amy felt compelled to keep him from getting
apprehended.
Sara said, "I went to my local police station and tried to get
them to go and get her. At that point they really didn't want to
do anything. They were thinking she had run away. [We had]
the [man's] real name and address...though at that time I wasn't
sure it was the real name. I couldn't get anyone to go and see
if this was a legitimate address. I found out that in our state
runaways don't have to return home if they don't want to."
Sara called the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
(NCMEC). Sara said it was that call that got the police to check
out the address on the ticket and "find out whether...this person
actually existed."
A detective had called to say the man's address was a computer
dating service. "It turned out this is where that man worked, and
he lived upstairs," Sara said. The police said they'd watch the
location.
About midnight an officer called in and said, "A taxi just pulled
up, a guy and a girl got out of it, we think it's them." He said,
"We need to find out [from Amy] if she wants to stay. In order
to get her [without her consent], we'd have to get a court order
showing the reason why we wanted her out." Sara had to talk
to Amy on the telephone and promise not to
press charges before Amy would agree to go
home.
"We had a 36-hour bus ride back [home].... At
first she was really upset. She definitely wanted
to be with this man. He'd been telling her, 'I'm
in love with you, you're the only one I've ever
done this with, you just have to come with me
and when I put you up it's going to be great.'
We learned a lot. I learned a lot. I thought I
knew a lot about my child."
But something told Sara the ordeal wasn't over.
She said, "Three weeks later this man came to
our home. [Amy] slipped out...with him. He had
continued to contact her, and it wasn't until this
meeting that the man assaulted [Amy], in a
motel in our own town."
NCMEC contacted the police department
who sent a detective to intercept Amy and
Bill before they boarded a bus. It wasn't until
police approached them in the bus station
that Bill told Amy she was not the first girl he'd
contacted on the Internet and lured into meeting
him in person. This was the turning point for
Amy, what she'd needed to hear. Not until then
could she tell her mother, "I can't believe I got
suckered into this." Bill was convicted and
sentenced to a year-and-a-day term in federal
prison. Bill was released in April 2001 to the
United States Probation Office where he was
placed on probation for three years.1 Sara told
us they still get calls with no one at the other
end of the line.
We asked Marsha Gilmer-Tullis, who is the
NCMEC family services advocate and familiar
with Amy's case, why she thought Amy
succumbed to this predator — the death of a
close step-grandfather, feeling sorry for Bill,
adventure-seeking, fears about the new
millennium? Marsha said, "All of the above.
There are lots of issues, usually. Being a
teenager is a very difficult time, and there are
issues and concerns that teens are struggling
with. It's often so much easier to get online,
where you're anonymous and the other person
is anonymous, and talk. You're feeling dejected
and unattractive, and someone's telling you
how wonderful and beautiful you are. They're
a teen and immature, and the adult knows
that and takes advantage of it."
It's still difficult for Sara to tell this story. She's
doing so, "To keep other families from going
through what we went through. [Amy]'s feeling
is the same as ours. She wants to help other
kids. [Predators] catch [teenagers] at their
weakest moment, and they prey on that."
We asked Sara what advice she'd give other
parents of online kids. "Know who your kids
are with. I would say, watch them when they're
online, but you can't always do that. Don't give
out any addresses, don't agree to meet anyone,
don't believe everything you hear and see —
they may be telling you that they're 15, 14, or
12, but they're actually probably 30, 40, or 50
years old.... Don't think that they can't come to
your house, because they can! Listen to your
feelings. Make sure you know where else your
child might be using a computer; at a friend's
house, library, or school."
*The names in this article have been changed to protect
the privacy of the victim and her family.
1
Kathleen Rice. Assistant United States Attorney for the
United States Attorney's Office in Florida. Personal
communication, June 24, 2002.
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Arizona
On November 8, 2003, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a CyberTipline report regarding a suspect allegedly "sharing" computer files depicting pornographic images of children using various Peer to Peer programs. An NCMEC Exploited Child Unit (ECU) Analyst performed several public record searches, which led to the suspect's possible location in Tempe, Arizona. ECU then forwarded the CyberTipline report to the Arizona State University (ASU) Police Department. Detectives from the ASU Police Department searched the suspect's computer and located the reported files. They also found saved instant message conversations between the suspect and a 13-year-old Pennsylvania girl that indicated that the suspect was attempting to meet the child for sexual purposes. Detectives alerted the Delaware County Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, who in turn located the child, interviewed her about the suspect, and assessed her safety. Initially the suspect fled to Oceanside, California, but on August 17, 2004, the suspect was apprehended. The suspect has been charged with three counts of the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and one count of Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation.
Tennessee
On April 8, 2003, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received a CyberTipline report revealing the online identity of a man allegedly attempting to lure a 12-year-old child to meet him for sexual purposes. When NCMEC's Exploited Child Unit staff members conducted thorough Internet searches, they quickly found a photograph of the 41-year-old suspect and learned that he lived in Tennessee. The information was immediately forwarded to the Knoxville Police Department. A Knoxville police officer took on an undercover identity of a child under the age of 13 and began online correspondence with the suspect, which led to specific plans to meet so the suspect could engage with sexual activity with the child. The suspect arrived at a Knoxville hotel and was taken into custody. He was charged with the attempted rape of a child.
Florida
On October 23, 2002, NCMEC’s Exploited Child Unit received a CyberTipline report from the concerned parents of a child in Miami, Florida, reporting that a man their daughter had befriended over the Internet was now harassing her over the telephone and via mail. NCMEC’s Exploited Child Unit analysts ran searches on the suspect's E-mail address using the AutoTrack™ and Accurint ™ databases and were able to validate the suspect's name and address in Modesto, California. The CyberTipline report was forwarded to the Stanislaus County (CA) Sheriff's Department, and investigators learned the suspect was under investigation by the FBI in Tampa, Florida, for sending sexually provocative materials to a 13-year-old girl. In November 2002 the suspect's computer was seized and investigators found 150 potential victims he had been communicating with online. So far eight of those potential victims were found to have actually been victimized. On February 20, 2003, the 71-year-old suspect was arrested on 13 felony counts of child molestation, attempted child molestation, and attempted manufacturing of child pornography.
Wisconsin
On July 14, 2003, NCMEC received a CyberTipline report from an individual concerned that her 44-year-old friend would try to entice a 12-year-old child he had been chatting with online into meeting and engaging in sexual activity. Through various Internet and public-record searches, NCMEC’s Exploited Children Unit analysts found both the suspect and child to be located in Wisconsin. Because it was clear in the information provided by the reporting person that the suspect was making plans to travel to meet the child and engage in sexual activity, the analysts notified the Wisconsin Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Investigators were able to locate the child and, with her cooperation, assumed her online identity in order to correspond with the suspect. On August 29, 2003, Task Force agents, working in conjunction with the Wausau Police Department, obtained a search warrant, seized his computer, and arrested the suspect.
Washington
On September 12, 2002, NCMEC’s Exploited Child Unit received a CyberTipline report from a relative of a 14-year-old girl concerned about the child's online relationship with a 37-year-old man from Michigan. An E-mail search led to an online profile with the suspect's location, the child victim's name, and details about his relationship with the child. AutoTrack™ public-record database searches confirmed the suspect's name, age, address, and telephone number. The CyberTipline report was forwarded to the Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Snohomish County (WA) Sheriff's Office. In October 2002 investigators determined that the suspect had flown to Washington and engaged in sexual activity with the girl. Child pornography was also found on the suspect's computer. The suspect was charged with multiple counts of Rape of a Child II, Child Molestation II, and Communicating with a Minor for Immoral Purposes.
West Virginia
On January 31, 2003, NCMEC received a CyberTipline report from a West Virginia woman stating that she found sexually explicit E-mails her niece had received from an individual living in Pennsylvania. NCMEC’s Exploited Child Unit staff members conducted Internet and public database searches to confirm the information provided in the report and then contacted the Pennsylvania State Police. On February 5, 2003, authorities raided the suspect's house and found him to be a 39-year-old man. The suspect confessed to trying to lure the child and admitted that he had been talking to her for approximately three years. He further stated that there was child pornography on his computer. The suspect has been arrested and charged with sexual abuse of minors, unlawful contact or communication with minors, and corruption of minors.
Minnesota
The St. Paul Police Department contacted NCMEC’s Exploited Child Unit on August 3, 2001, to report a tip they had received about a convicted sex offender who was planning to travel to Scotland to meet an 8-year-old Scottish girl and her mother who he had befriended online. NCMEC’s Exploited Child Unit analysts immediately conducted public- database searches and provided police in St. Paul with identifying information about the suspect. NCMEC contacted New Scotland Yard’s Paedophile Unit to inform them that this sex offender may travel to their area with the intent to meet a child. Authorities then began receiving seized E-mail messages from the suspect’s Internet Service Provider. They provided NCMEC with this information including an E-mail the child in Scotland had sent the suspect, in which the child referred to him as “Grandpa.” On August 8, 2001, New Scotland Yard contacted NCMEC with information that the 48-year-old suspect had been stopped at the airport when he arrived in the country. He was denied entry into Scotland and returned to the United States. The following day, before the suspect arrived home, authorities executed a search warrant on the home of the suspect and seized his computer, magazines, a video camera and videotapes. Initial forensics revealed that the suspect had graphic child pornography on his home computer. In addition they found E-mail correspondence between the suspect and other young girls who also refer to him as “Grandpa.” The suspect was arrested.
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On April 8, 2003, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received a CyberTipline report revealing the online identity of a man allegedly attempting to lure a 12-year-old child to meet him for sexual purposes. When NCMEC's Exploited Child Unit staff members conducted thorough Internet searches, they quickly found a photograph of the 41-year-old suspect and learned that he lived in Tennessee. The information was immediately forwarded to the Knoxville Police Department. A Knoxville police officer took on an undercover identity of a child under the age of 13 and began online correspondence with the suspect, which led to specific plans to meet so the suspect could engage with sexual activity with the child. The suspect arrived at a Knoxville hotel and was taken into custody. He was charged with the attempted rape of a child.
Back to Top
On October 23, 2002, NCMEC’s Exploited Child Unit received a CyberTipline report from the concerned parents of a child in Miami, Florida, reporting that a man their daughter had befriended over the Internet was now harassing her over the telephone and via mail. NCMEC’s Exploited Child Unit analysts ran searches on the suspect's E-mail address using the AutoTrack™ and Accurint ™ databases and were able to validate the suspect's name and address in Modesto, California. The CyberTipline report was forwarded to the Stanislaus County (CA) Sheriff's Department, and investigators learned the suspect was under investigation by the FBI in Tampa, Florida, for sending sexually provocative materials to a 13-year-old girl. In November 2002 the suspect's computer was seized and investigators found 150 potential victims he had been communicating with online. So far eight of those potential victims were found to have actually been victimized. On February 20, 2003, the 71-year-old suspect was arrested on 13 felony counts of child molestation, attempted child molestation, and attempted manufacturing of child pornography.
Back to Top
On July 14, 2003, NCMEC received a CyberTipline report from an individual concerned that her 44-year-old friend would try to entice a 12-year-old child he had been chatting with online into meeting and engaging in sexual activity. Through various Internet and public-record searches, NCMEC’s Exploited Children Unit analysts found both the suspect and child to be located in Wisconsin. Because it was clear in the information provided by the reporting person that the suspect was making plans to travel to meet the child and engage in sexual activity, the analysts notified the Wisconsin Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Investigators were able to locate the child and, with her cooperation, assumed her online identity in order to correspond with the suspect. On August 29, 2003, Task Force agents, working in conjunction with the Wausau Police Department, obtained a search warrant, seized his computer, and arrested the suspect.
Back to Top
On September 12, 2002, NCMEC’s Exploited Child Unit received a CyberTipline report from a relative of a 14-year-old girl concerned about the child's online relationship with a 37-year-old man from Michigan. An E-mail search led to an online profile with the suspect's location, the child victim's name, and details about his relationship with the child. AutoTrack™ public-record database searches confirmed the suspect's name, age, address, and telephone number. The CyberTipline report was forwarded to the Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Snohomish County (WA) Sheriff's Office. In October 2002 investigators determined that the suspect had flown to Washington and engaged in sexual activity with the girl. Child pornography was also found on the suspect's computer. The suspect was charged with multiple counts of Rape of a Child II, Child Molestation II, and Communicating with a Minor for Immoral Purposes.
Back to Top
On January 31, 2003, NCMEC received a CyberTipline report from a West Virginia woman stating that she found sexually explicit E-mails her niece had received from an individual living in Pennsylvania. NCMEC’s Exploited Child Unit staff members conducted Internet and public database searches to confirm the information provided in the report and then contacted the Pennsylvania State Police. On February 5, 2003, authorities raided the suspect's house and found him to be a 39-year-old man. The suspect confessed to trying to lure the child and admitted that he had been talking to her for approximately three years. He further stated that there was child pornography on his computer. The suspect has been arrested and charged with sexual abuse of minors, unlawful contact or communication with minors, and corruption of minors.
Back to Top
The St. Paul Police Department contacted NCMEC’s Exploited Child Unit on August 3, 2001, to report a tip they had received about a convicted sex offender who was planning to travel to Scotland to meet an 8-year-old Scottish girl and her mother who he had befriended online. NCMEC’s Exploited Child Unit analysts immediately conducted public- database searches and provided police in St. Paul with identifying information about the suspect. NCMEC contacted New Scotland Yard’s Paedophile Unit to inform them that this sex offender may travel to their area with the intent to meet a child. Authorities then began receiving seized E-mail messages from the suspect’s Internet Service Provider. They provided NCMEC with this information including an E-mail the child in Scotland had sent the suspect, in which the child referred to him as “Grandpa.” On August 8, 2001, New Scotland Yard contacted NCMEC with information that the 48-year-old suspect had been stopped at the airport when he arrived in the country. He was denied entry into Scotland and returned to the United States. The following day, before the suspect arrived home, authorities executed a search warrant on the home of the suspect and seized his computer, magazines, a video camera and videotapes. Initial forensics revealed that the suspect had graphic child pornography on his home computer. In addition they found E-mail correspondence between the suspect and other young girls who also refer to him as “Grandpa.” The suspect was arrested.
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