Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program

The National Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program, as established by the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008, consists of State and local law enforcement task forces dedicated to developing effective responses to online enticement of children by sexual predators, child exploitation, and child obscenity and pornography cases. Each State and local task force that is part of the national program shall: 1) consist of State and local investigators, prosecutors, forensic specialists, and education specialists who are dedicated to addressing the goals of the task force; 2) engage in proactive investigations, forensic examinations, and effective prosecutions of Internet crimes against children; 3) provide forensic, preventive, and investigative assistance to parents, educators, prosecutors, law enforcement, and others concerned with Internet crimes against children; 4) develop multijurisdictional, multiagency partnerships and responses to Internet crimes against children offenses through ongoing informational, administrative, and technological support to other State and local law enforcement agencies, as a means for such agencies to acquire the necessary knowledge, personnel, and specialized equipment to investigate and prosecute such offenses; 5) participate in nationally coordinated investigations in any case in which the Attorney General determines such participation to be necessary, as permitted by the available resources of such task force; 6) establish or adopt investigative and prosecution standards consistent with established norms, to which such task force shall comply; 7) investigate, and seek prosecution on tips related to Internet crimes against children, including tips from Operation Fairplay, the National Internet Crimes Against Children Data System, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline, ICAC task forces, and other Federal, State, and local agencies, with priority being given to investigate leads that indicate the possibility of identifying or rescuing child victims, including investigative leads that indicate a likelihood of seriousness of offense or dangerousness to the community; 8) develop procedures for handling seized evidence for ICAC task force lead agencies and affiliate agencies; 9) maintain reports required by OJJDP and other reports and records as determined by the Attorney General; and, 10) seek to comply with national standards regarding the investigation and prosecution of Internet crimes against children, as set forth by the Attorney General, to the extent such standards are consistent with the law of the State where the task force is located.

The Vermont Office of the Attorney General (VT AG) will maintain and expand the VT ICAC Task Force and improve the Task Force's effectiveness in preventing, interdicting, investigating, and prosecuting online crimes against children. Grant funds will support overtime costs for VT AG investigators, travel and registration costs for VT ICAC members to attend digital forensics training, and ICAC National Training courses such as Undercover Chat, Investigative Techniques, On-Scene Investigations, Online Ads, and peer-to-peer, and the purchase of cell phone forensic equipment. Three local and state law enforcement affiliate agencies will receive funds to support overtime costs for ICAC investigators and forensic examiners and VT AG will continue to subgrant funds to Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT) to provide community education in schools throughout the state. VT AG will also continue to contract with a mental health professional to support the Vermont ICAC officer wellness program. Other investigative and operational costs such as internet and cell phone service, software licenses, and network storage will also be supported with grant funds.
NCA/CF

The National Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program, consists of State and local law enforcement task forces dedicated to developing effective responses to online enticement of children by sexual predators, child exploitation, and child obscenity and pornography cases. Each State and local task force that is part of the national program shall: 1) consist of State and local investigators, prosecutors, forensic specialists, and education specialists who are dedicated to addressing the goals of the task force; 2) engage in proactive investigations, forensic examinations, and effective prosecutions of Internet crimes against children; 3) provide forensic, preventive, and investigative assistance to parents, educators, prosecutors, law enforcement, and others concerned with Internet crimes against children; 4) develop multijurisdictional, multiagency partnerships and responses to Internet crimes against children offenses through ongoing informational, administrative, and technological support to other State and local law enforcement agencies, as a means for such agencies to acquire the necessary knowledge, personnel, and specialized equipment to investigate and prosecute such offenses; 5) participate in nationally coordinated investigations in any case in which the Attorney General determines such participation to be necessary, as permitted by the available resources of such task force; 6) establish or adopt investigative and prosecution standards consistent with established norms, to which such task force shall comply; 7) investigate, and seek prosecution on tips related to Internet crimes against children, including tips from Operation Fairplay, the National Internet Crimes Against Children Data System, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline, ICAC task forces, and other Federal, State, and local agencies, with priority being given to investigate leads that indicate the possibility of identifying or rescuing child victims, including investigative leads that indicate a likelihood of seriousness of offense or dangerousness to the community; 8) develop procedures for handling seized evidence for ICAC task force lead agencies and affiliate agencies; 9) maintain reports required by OJJDP and other reports and records as determined by the Attorney General; and, 10) seek to comply with national standards regarding the investigation and prosecution of Internet crimes against children, as set forth by the Attorney General, to the extent such standards are consistent with the law of the State where the task force is located.

The Vermont Office of the Attorney General (VT AG) will maintain and expand the VT ICAC Task Force and improve the Task Force's effectiveness to prevent, interdict, investigate, and prosecute online crimes against children. Grant funds will support travel and registration costs for VT ICAC members to attend digital forensics training, prosecutor training, and basic ICAC investigation training such as Undercover Chat, Investigative Techniques, On-Scene Investigations and Online Ads. Three local and state law enforcement affiliate agencies will receive funds to support overtime costs for ICAC investigators and forensic examiners and VT AG will continue to subgrant funds to Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT) to provide community education in schools throughout the state. VT AG will also continue to contract with a mental health professional to support the Vermont ICAC officer wellness program and other investigative and operational costs such as internet and cell phone service, software licenses, network storage, and operational gear. CA/CF