Justice Dept. and Watchdog finds FBI mishandling Child Sexual Abuse Cases

[Sif]

In this article from NBC, an audit of over 300 case involving sexual abuse of children the FBI was extremely deficient its investigations. In one case in particular a child had continued to be abuse for an additional 15 months while the FBI continued its investigation. In over 40% of cases it was found the FBI was not following mandatory reporting requirements. In some documentation was not present and in others the FBI needed to begin investigative steps that should have already been taken at the beginning. The article also discusses the failures of the FBI in the Larry Nasser (US Gymnastics Team doctor) case.

It seems the FBI is failing in protecting children from predators. I work on an Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative and often handing cases involving sexual abuse of child and sexual abuse materiel (known as CSAM). Some of the cases I received from the FBI. I hate to imagine my work on those just sitting in some file with no action taken on them, because I make sure I provide actionable intelligence.

I recently met with a local law enforcement office from what is called an ICAC Unit (Internet Crimes Against Children) and he told me how critically short staffed and under funded they are in dealing with these issues. The largest city in my state that has a population of about three quarters of a million people has only one ICAC detective. He or she cannot have the capacity to deal with the millions of tip and pieces of actionable intelligence.

I won't point fingers any anyone (Liberal v. Conservative/Democrat v. Republican), but I will blame the FBI for its failures in the cases sited. These horrific crimes will continue until actions are taken in the form of staffing and funding, along with proper training.

 

[RileyG]

I’m not surprised.

 

[Pommer]

In this article from NBC, an audit of over 300 case involving sexual abuse of children the FBI was extremely deficient its investigations. In one case in particular a child had continued to be abuse for an additional 15 months while the FBI continued its investigation. In over 40% of cases it was found the FBI was not following mandatory reporting requirements. In some documentation was not present and in others the FBI needed to begin investigative steps that should have already been taken at the beginning. The article also discusses the failures of the FBI in the Larry Nasser (US Gymnastics Team doctor) case.

It seems the FBI is failing in protecting children from predators. I work on an Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative and often handing cases involving sexual abuse of child and sexual abuse materiel (known as CSAM). Some of the cases I received from the FBI. I hate to imagine my work on those just sitting in some file with no action taken on them, because I make sure I provide actionable intelligence.

I recently met with a local law enforcement office from what is called an ICAC Unit (Internet Crimes Against Children) and he told me how critically short staffed and under funded they are in dealing with these issues. The largest city in my state that has a population of about three quarters of a million people has only one ICAC detective. He or she cannot have the capacity to deal with the millions of tip and pieces of actionable intelligence.

I won't point fingers any anyone (Liberal v. Conservative/Democrat v. Republican), but I will blame the FBI for its failures in the cases sited. These horrific crimes will continue until actions are taken in the form of staffing and funding, along with proper training.

Is the FBI routinely contacted for crimes that do not appear to be interstate related?

 

[Tinker Grey]

Is the FBI routinely contacted for crimes that do not appear to be interstate related?

The descriptions by the FBI of what the FBI investigates suggest that crime need not be interstate. But, of course, their descriptions are not the law. Anyway, here is the link (which cover crimes against children): What We Investigate | Federal Bureau of Investigation

 

[public hermit]

47% of cases in the study were not reported to local or state authorities (no evidence of being reported)? Making a change in that area alone would help a lot.

 

[Offline4Better.]

In this article from NBC, an audit of over 300 case involving sexual abuse of children the FBI was extremely deficient its investigations. In one case in particular a child had continued to be abuse for an additional 15 months while the FBI continued its investigation. In over 40% of cases it was found the FBI was not following mandatory reporting requirements. In some documentation was not present and in others the FBI needed to begin investigative steps that should have already been taken at the beginning. The article also discusses the failures of the FBI in the Larry Nasser (US Gymnastics Team doctor) case.

It seems the FBI is failing in protecting children from predators. I work on an Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative and often handing cases involving sexual abuse of child and sexual abuse materiel (known as CSAM). Some of the cases I received from the FBI. I hate to imagine my work on those just sitting in some file with no action taken on them, because I make sure I provide actionable intelligence.

I recently met with a local law enforcement office from what is called an ICAC Unit (Internet Crimes Against Children) and he told me how critically short staffed and under funded they are in dealing with these issues. The largest city in my state that has a population of about three quarters of a million people has only one ICAC detective. He or she cannot have the capacity to deal with the millions of tip and pieces of actionable intelligence.

I won't point fingers any anyone (Liberal v. Conservative/Democrat v. Republican), but I will blame the FBI for its failures in the cases sited. These horrific crimes will continue until actions are taken in the form of staffing and funding, along with proper training.

Dang, that is horrible. Also, I have never heard of this Nasser guy until now, but just looked him up. He SAed (assaulted) 265 women and girls, and was finally arrested in 2016. Totally demonic, what this Nasser guy has done. Pray for the healing of his victims.

From the BBC (Article contains sensitive topic dealing with SA, ages 16+ recommended):

Larry Nassar case: USA Gymnastics doctor 'abused 265 girls'

At least 65 victims will confront Larry Nassar in court in the last of three sentencing hearings.

www.bbc.com

Pure evil (quote from Wikipedia): "In 2016, Nassar was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting at least 265 young women and girls under the guise of medical treatment. His victims included numerous Olympic and United States women's national gymnastics team gymnasts.

 

[RileyG]

47% of cases in the study were not reported to local or state authorities (no evidence of being reported)? Making a change in that area alone would help a lot.

Yikes!

 

[Offline4Better.]

Yikes!

Yikes on trikes is right, 47% is nearly half of cases not being reported. Total negligence by the FBI right there. I can not discuss much more, as this stuff is disgusting.

 

[public hermit]

Yikes on trikes is right, 47% is nearly half of cases not being reported. Total negligence by the FBI right there. I can not discuss much more, as this stuff is disgusting.

It is horrible; however, they need more resources (and apparently administrative know- how). I wouldn't put it all on the FBI, per se. Doing good work with a hand tied behind your back will still be lacking comparatively.

 

[Offline4Better.]

It is horrible; however, they need more resources (and apparently administrative know- how). I wouldn't put it all on the FBI, per se. Doing good work with a hand tied behind your back will still be lacking comparatively.

Can we put say 50% of the blame on the FBI, and 50% on the government for not giving enough resources to the FBI? The head of the FBI should have begged the government bookkeepers for more funding and admin.

 

[Sif]

Can we put say 50% of the blame on the FBI, and 50% on the government for not giving enough resources to the FBI? The head of the FBI should have begged the government bookkeepers for more funding and admin.

This story did come as a shock. In 2022 I attended what is called the FBI Citizens Academy in my state's FBI field office. It is a 5-week program where agents at the field office present various FBI cases to civilians and show what kind of work they do. The agents I encountered there all seemed quite competent and good at their jobs.

In working on Anti-Human Trafficking, I often provide transactional data on potential Trafficking on Online Child Exploitation cases. I have noticed some of the powers-that-be in my organization would rather give such intel to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) rather than the FBI as HSI appears to be more responsive. It has also been HSI that was given most of our intel around the trafficking of young women around major sporting events like the Super Bowl.

 

[Offline4Better.]

This story did come as a shock. In 2022 I attended what is called the FBI Citizens Academy in my state's FBI field office. It is a 5-week program where agents at the field office present various FBI cases to civilians and show what kind of work they do. The agents I encountered there all seemed quite competent and good at their jobs.

In working on Anti-Human Trafficking, I often provide transactional data on potential Trafficking on Online Child Exploitation cases. I have noticed some of the powers-that-be in my organization would rather give such intel to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) rather than the FBI as HSI appears to be more responsive. It has also been HSI that was given most of our intel around the trafficking of young women around major sporting events like the Super Bowl.

Wow, you sound knowledgeable in this area of law enforcement. Thank you for your service for protecting the young.

I have heard about uptick in trafficking around major events such as the Superbowl. Glad I do not watch sports, except for the Olympics with a coworker. One of the many reasons I do not want to have children, cos protecting them sounds like a lot of work, and I would be afraid for my kids if anything bad happens to them.

 

[Sif]

Wow, you sound knowledgeable in this area of law enforcement. Thank you for your service for protecting the young.

I have heard about uptick in trafficking around major events such as the Superbowl. Glad I do not watch sports, except for the Olympics with a coworker. One of the many reasons I do not want to have children, cos protecting them sounds like a lot of work, and I would be afraid for my kids if anything bad happens to them.

I have, at least, a limit knowledge. I am always looking for good sources to learn more.

I am not a law enforcement officer in any capacity. However, I often provide (hopefully) actionable intel on the financial side of certain crimes (money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorist financing, human trafficking, weapons trafficking, human smuggling, etc.)

 

[Offline4Better.]

I have, at least, a limit knowledge. I am always looking for good sources to learn more.

I am not a law enforcement officer in any capacity. However, I often provide (hopefully) actionable intel on the financial side of certain crimes (money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorist financing, human trafficking, weapons trafficking, human smuggling, etc.)

So, you were the guy who collected financial intel and where the money streams went? That still makes you a hero, and hopefully the actions from law enforcement and agents were guided by your intel to put a stop to these heinous crimes.

 

[Ana the Ist]

In this article from NBC, an audit of over 300 case involving sexual abuse of children the FBI was extremely deficient its investigations. In one case in particular a child had continued to be abuse for an additional 15 months while the FBI continued its investigation. In over 40% of cases it was found the FBI was not following mandatory reporting requirements. In some documentation was not present and in others the FBI needed to begin investigative steps that should have already been taken at the beginning. The article also discusses the failures of the FBI in the Larry Nasser (US Gymnastics Team doctor) case.

It seems the FBI is failing in protecting children from predators. I work on an Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative and often handing cases involving sexual abuse of child and sexual abuse materiel (known as CSAM). Some of the cases I received from the FBI. I hate to imagine my work on those just sitting in some file with no action taken on them, because I make sure I provide actionable intelligence.

I recently met with a local law enforcement office from what is called an ICAC Unit (Internet Crimes Against Children) and he told me how critically short staffed and under funded they are in dealing with these issues. The largest city in my state that has a population of about three quarters of a million people has only one ICAC detective. He or she cannot have the capacity to deal with the millions of tip and pieces of actionable intelligence.

I won't point fingers any anyone (Liberal v. Conservative/Democrat v. Republican), but I will blame the FBI for its failures in the cases sited. These horrific crimes will continue until actions are taken in the form of staffing and funding, along with proper training.

FBI Whistleblower Alleges Bureau Took Agents Off Child Sex Abuse Cases To Pursue Political Probes

FBI Whistleblower Alleges Bureau Took Agents Off Child Sex Abuse Cases To Pursue Political Probes

judiciary.house.gov

“The whistleblower recalled, for example, being ‘told that child sexual abuse material investigations were no longer an FBI priority and should be referred to local law enforcement agencies.’ Such a posture is not only a dereliction of the FBI’s mission to investigate violations of federal laws, but it is a grave disservice to the victims of child sexual abuse and other crimes that do not advance the FBI leadership’s political agenda.”

 

[ThatRobGuy]

These kinds of crimes, especially involving ones that occur in cyber space often leave most law enforcement agencies "deficient".

Both in terms of resources (financial and staffing), as well as just overall knowledge. "Elite Level Cyber Guru" isn't exactly a super common skill set, often times they're probably forced to rely on people who are a little less "elite" in terms of their subject matter expertise in that area.


The actual field agents, I would presume, can only act on leads and intel that can be procured (or received and verified) by their cyber teams. Verification takes time and meticulous research (as it should...we don't want them raiding the wrong house on a civilian tip about who has certain kinds of files on their computer, or based on a crafty hacker being able to spoof someone else's IP address)

The grand total of specialized cyber team agents within the FBI. Drumroll please...... 65.
(plus a small joint task force they run with 20 state & local agencies that have "slightly above average" cyber crime teams when compared to other local law enforcement agencies that they can delegate some of the tasks to)

That's it.

Most Fortune 500 companies have cyber specialist teams that are bigger than that.


Given the vast size and scope of the "dark web" (which is where much of the illegal stuff takes place), the non-tech equivalent would be taking 5 regular uniformed officers, and saying "okay, your job is to keep this 200 mile radius safe and respond to incidents quickly"...of course they're going to come up short much of the time, because in that scenario, they've been set up to fail.

 

[Ana the Ist]

These kinds of crimes, especially involving ones that occur in cyber space often leave most law enforcement agencies "deficient".

Both in terms of resources (financial and staffing), as well as just overall knowledge. "Elite Level Cyber Guru" isn't exactly a super common skill set,

Is that what goes on your resumes @ThatRobGuy? Elite Level Cyber Guru?

often times they're probably forced to rely on people who are a little less "elite" in terms of their subject matter expertise in that area.


The actual field agents, I would presume, can only act on leads and intel that can be procured (or received and verified) by their cyber teams.

Exactly...or else that other Department that makes sure everyone is doing what they're supposed to and nothing else will get involved and tell them to knock it off.

Verification takes time and meticulous research (as it should...we don't want them raiding the wrong house on a civilian tip about who has certain kinds of files on their computer, or based on a crafty hacker being able to spoof someone else's IP address)

The grand total of specialized cyber team agents within the FBI. Drumroll please...... 65.
(plus a small joint task force they run with 20 state & local agencies that have "slightly above average" cyber crime teams when compared to other local law enforcement agencies that they can delegate some of the tasks to)

That's it.

Most Fortune 500 companies have cyber specialist teams that are bigger than that.

And when you consider how many of those companies have been hit by ransomware or phishing campaigns that succeeded.....

Given the vast size and scope of the "dark web" (which is where much of the illegal stuff takes place), the non-tech equivalent would be taking 5 regular uniformed officers, and saying "okay, your job is to keep this 200 mile radius safe and respond to incidents quickly"...of course they're going to come up short much of the time, because in that scenario, they've been set up to fail.

That's an interesting way of looking at it