The Virginian-Pilot
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RICHMOND
This could be the year that law enforcement advocates get a dedicated fund to fight online child pornography. J ust to be sure, they brought a familiar face to the Capitol on Wednesday to help make their case.
Actor Erik Estrada, best known for his role on "CHiPs" as a highway patrol officer, offered his support to legislators and law enforcement officials.
Pending before the General Assembly are bills that would enhance reporting of Internet child pornography and add a $10 fee on criminal convictions to fund two state task forces that crack down on such crimes.
"The Internet is a great tool... but it's also a great hangout for sexual predators," said Estrada, an online safety advocate who has worked with authorities in Virginia and Indiana.
Estrada said that through his work with police, he's seen revolting images that are "just a click away."
The proliferation of child pornography makes curbing it an ongoing challenge, said investigator Stephen Anders of the Bedford County Sheriff's Office, which is home to one of the task forces. The other unit is based in Northern Virginia.
Anders said advances in technology enable authorities to track child pornography to individual computers. He estimated that upwards of 50,000 computers located in Virginia have such illicit images on them.
"Child pornography is nothing short of a crime scene photo of a child being raped.... It depicts a crime in process," Anders said.
Yet some individuals trade these images like baseball cards and share tips about how to molest children without being detected, he said.
Bills by Del. Dave Albo, R-Fairfax County, and Sen. Fred Quayle, R-Suffolk, call for enhanced reporting of child protection data by courts and authorities.
A measure from Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County, would establish the court fee to fund the task forces. The measure passed the House Appropriations Committee unanimously Wednesday.
Estrada is the latest celebrity to stump for legislation during the 2010 General Assembly session.
Already this year, Las Vegas entertainer Wayne Newton came to the Capitol seeking recognition for a Native American tribe to which he belongs.
And actress Sissy Spacek visited Richmond in support of film- production tax- credit bills.
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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McDonnell's promise
Before being elected, Governor McDonnell stated that he would seek to make lifetime mental health treatment required for all sex offenders in order to reduce recidivism.
I have not heard him mention the matter since he won the governorship.
also need
Along with the funds and donations if any. We really need to have a 1 strike rule for these criminals. Almost all of them are repeat offenders. Just look at the guy that Dateline caught twice in the sting operations! (yes I went there with "To Catch a Predator")
Couldn't agree more...
Once you get over the fact that Ponch is pushing to get legislation passed in the Commonwealth, you will see the message is clear. I would personally donate money yearly to catch the sick SOB's that trawl for young kids on the internet.
It is repulsive, reprehensible, and when caught - they should be subjected to highest form of punishment there is.
Go get em Ponch. We support your efforts!!
These sick SOBs
Yes, they deserve to be behind bars for a long, long time.
They learn real quickly when the current prisoners give them that "warm welcome".
Yes, we need to fund this, don't cut any funding from police catching pedophiles