Internet crime unit to get $250K

An organization that supports children's issues is pledging $250,000 to the Utah Attorney General's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

At a gala dinner in Salt Lake City last week, the nonprofit group Operation Kids presented a $50,000 donation to members of the cyber-squad, with the rest coming when donors' pledges are collected.

"It's exciting," Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff told the Deseret News on Tuesday. "We'll use a little bit toward equipment. The majority of it will be used for overtime to put cops behind computers to go after these guys."

John Walsh, the host of the crime TV show "America's Most Wanted," was also honored with an award for his efforts to protect children. In his acceptance speech, he praised both Shurtleff and ICAC.

"You are the kick-ass AG, with almost 100 percent conviction rate," Walsh said in a transcript of his speech provided by the attorney general's office. "You put children on top of your list. And your ICAC team ... is my model for the nation."

ICAC boasts one of the top arrest and conviction rates in the country. The squad, made up of investigators from the attorney general's office and other local law enforcement agencies, works Internet chat rooms, social networking Web sites and other Internet-based investigations in an effort to protect children from abuse and exploitation and to arrest sexual predators who use the Internet to meet children.

The Utah Attorney General's Office said ICAC has arrested and prosecuted more than 500 cases since its creation in 2000. An additional 100 cases are still being prosecuted in the court system. In addition, Shurtleff's office boasts more than 1,000 Internet safety classes being taught to more than 100,000 Utah children.

Operation Kids also donated more than a half-million dollars to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the national McGruff Safehouse.

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E-MAIL: bwinslow@desnews.com