Innocent Images National Initiative
While investigating the disappearance of a juvenile in May 1993, FBI agents and Prince George's County Police, Maryland, identified two suspects who had sexually exploited numerous juvenile males over a 25 year period. Investigation into the activities of the suspects determined that adults were routinely utilizing computers to transmit images of minors showing frontal nudity or sexually explicit conduct and to lure minors into engaging in illicit sexual activity. Further investigation and discussions with experts, both within the FBI and in the private sector, revealed that the utilization of computer telecommunications was rapidly becoming one of the most prevalent techniques by which some sex offenders shared pornographic images of minors and identified and recruited children into sexually illicit relationships. Based on information developed during this investigation, the Innocent Images investigation was initiated, in 1995, to address the illicit activities conducted by users of commercial and private online services as well as the Internet.
The central operation and case management system for all FBI online Child Pornography/Child Sexual Exploitation investigations is located at the Maryland Metropolitan Office at Calverton, Baltimore Division. The Innocent Images field supervisor and investigative personnel work closely with the Innocent Images National Initiative program manager at FBI Headquarters in investigative, administrative and policy matters involving the initiative. All FBI field offices forward copies of text and images obtained in all online CP/CSE investigations to the Innocent Images National Initiative for incorporation into the Innocent Images case management system. The Innocent Images initiative provides for a coordinated FBI response to a nationwide problem by collating and analyzing information and images obtained from numerous sources and avoids duplication of effort by all FBI field offices.
The FBI's National Initiative focuses on organizations/individuals who benefit financially from online CP/CSE of children; individuals who indicate a willingness to travel for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with a juvenile; those who use the Internet who are producers or major distributors of child pornography; and those who upload child pornography onto online services and the Internet in violation of various sections of Title 18 of the United States Criminal Code. The FBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ) review all files and select the most egregious subjects for prosecution. In addition, the Innocent Images National Initiative works to identify child victims and obtain appropriate services/assistance for them and to establish a law enforcement presence on the Internet that will act as a deterrent to those who seek to sexually exploit children.
The FBI has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the Innocent Images National Initiative remains viable and productive through the use of new technology and sophisticated investigative techniques, coordination of the national investigative strategy and a national liaison initiative with a significant number of commercial and independent online service providers. Innocent Images has been highly successful. It has proven to be a logical, efficient and effective method to identify and investigate individuals who are using the Internet for the sole purpose of sexually exploiting children.
In order to help combat this escalating crime problem, the 1998 Justice Appropriations Act, Public Law 105-119, provided $10 million in recurring funds for the Innocent Images National Initiative. These investigations have been conducted in all FBI field offices and are coordinated internationally through the FBI Legal Attaches. The Innocent Images National Initiative undercover operations have been expanded to numerous FBI field offices located around the country. The well-defined administrative and operational protocols established by the Innocent Images National Initiative greatly assist in the expansion of the Innocent Images initiative to additional FBI field offices. All Innocent Images Undercover Operations operate in close coordination with the FBI's National Initiative, FBIHQ, and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, DOJ.