WCSO NEWS RELEASE
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has received a $35,000 award from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to cover overtime costs related to the Sheriff’s Cyber Crimes Unit and Internet Crimes against Children Task Force.
The FBI award enhances the ability of Sheriff’s Office Detectives to timely investigate crimes against children on the Internet.
Children are often targets for exploitation by individuals using online services because of the anonymous nature of the Internet and the large number of people who use it. Online child predators contact children on the Internet in a number of ways including e-mail messages, instant messaging, electronic bulletin boards, social networking sites and public chat rooms.
Through the Washoe County Sheriff’s Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, Washoe County detectives work with members of the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and various other law enforcement agencies to conduct online investigations targeting child pornographers and sexual predators of children.
For more information about cyber security, the Sheriff’s Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, and tips that help keep children safe while on the Internet, visit washoesheriff.com.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office celebrated 150 years of proud service and community partnership in 2011. Sheriff Michael Haley is the 25th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County. His office continues to be the only full service public safety agency operating within northern Nevada and is responsible for operating the consolidated detention facility, regional crime lab, Northern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, court security, service of civil process, traditional street patrols and Regional Animal Services.