"We are pleased to partner with the Michigan State Police and other law enforcement agencies in this effort. Utilizing all available resources and sharing those resources to protect our children is vital," said Patricia L. Caruso, Director of the MDOC. "These parole and probation agents are another brick in the wall that helps shield our vulnerable children from Internet predators, and we are proud to be part of this task force."

At the Michigan ICAC Task Force offices in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Livonia, MDOC parole/probation agents will utilize high-tech, law enforcement tools to identify parolees violating their conditions of release. Although parolees are oftentimes prohibited from using computers and the Internet, many offenders convicted of crimes against children utilize social networking Web sites and chat rooms to view child sexually explicit materials and/or meet new victims.

"The MDOC agents add a new dimension to our efforts to combat the widespread problem of online child exploitation," said Colonel Peter C. Munoz, Director of the Michigan State Police (MSP). "Leveraging the expertise available within the Michigan Department of Corrections with our own investigative resources will go a long way in keeping our children safe."

The Michigan ICAC Task Force is a multijurisdictional team coordinated by the MSP Computer Crimes Unit. The ICAC program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice, allocates funding for training and equipment to 61 task forces nationwide.

The Michigan ICAC Task Force includes a diverse representation of partners, including officers from the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, MSP, MDOC, Bellaire Police Department, East Grand Rapids Police Department, Fruitport Township Police Department, Ingham County Sheriff's Department, Kalkaska County Sheriff's Department, Kent County Sheriff's Department, Kentwood Police Department, Lansing Community College Department of Public Safety, Livingston County Sheriff's Department, Livonia Police Department, Macomb County Sheriff's Department, Midland Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff's Department, Muskegon Police Department, Muskegon Township Police Department, New Baltimore Police Department, Ottawa County Sheriff's Department and Troy Police Department.

Anyone with information about Internet crimes should call the nearest MSP post or the ICAC Task Force hotline, 1-877-5CYBER3 (1-877-529-2373).

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
D/Lt. Tom Kish, MSP Computer Crimes Unit and ICAC Task Force,
(517) 336-6444
John C. Cordell, MDOC Office of Public Information,
(517) 373-6391