Do Your Part. Help Us Keep Children Safe Online

Our Purpose

To counter society’s rapid explosion of online child exploitation, pornography and predators, 52 local, state and federal agencies have partnered to create the NOVA-DC ICAC Task Force.

The task force was established in November 2004 through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. With Virginia State Police serving as the coordinating agency, the grant provides for law enforcement training and equipment, and for conducting online investigations.

In less than a year, the NOVA-DC ICAC Task Force has had an impact on law enforcement’s ability to detect, deter and prosecute individuals who use the Internet to prey on juveniles.  The task force’s full-time investigative presence reinforces their commitment to safeguarding youth through aggressive proactive and reactive enforcement of cyber predators.

The U. S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has granted the task force use of its Cyber Center Headquarters to house their full-time investigative initiative.

The NOVA-DC ICAC Task Force serves as the coordinating agency for Cyber Tipline complaints received from The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and referrals from other ICAC Task Forces to ensure these matters are thoroughly investigated.

Our Goals

  • Establish an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force program consisting of professionals with backgrounds in various disciplines and from multiple jurisdictions, to address the needs of juvenile victims of sexual exploitation.  Establish forums for discussion about the methods to safeguard children from cyber predators, and provide a coordinated effort to deter, detect and prosecute violators.
  •  Conduct on a regular basis undercover online investigative projects.
  • Provide training and information about Internet crimes to children, parents, community organizations, criminal justice professionals, judiciary officials and legislators.

News

Child pornography cases on the rise in Northern Virginia, why are Hispanics vulnerable? | Aumentan los casos de pornografía infantil en el norte de Virginia, ¿por qué los hispanos son vulnerables?

From 5,000 reports of child pornography reported in 2022, the figure rose to 7,500 cases so far in 2023. The way of life of Hispanic families and, in some cases, the language barrier, become risk factors so that minors fall into the blackmail and traps of criminals. Read more >>>

De 5,000 denuncias de pornografía infantil reportadas en el año de 2022, la cifra pasó a 7,500 casos en lo que va del 2023. La forma de vida de las familias hispanas y, en algunos casos la barrera del idioma, se convierten en factores de riesgo para que los menores caigan en los chantajes y trampas de los delincuentes. Leer más >>>

Authorities investigating death of retired Spotsylvania doctor accused of child sex crime

Virginia State Police authorities say they will continue investigating sexual assault claims against a retired Spotsylvania County doctor who was found dead in Loudoun County on Thursday.

The death of Michael B. O’Brien, 66, is being investigated by the Loudoun Sheriff’s Office. O’Brien’s body has been taken to the medical examiner’s office in Manassas for autopsy and examination. Read More >>

Oklahoma couple pleads guilty to possessing pornographic images of 14-month-old

A couple has plead guilty to possessing child pornography after being arrested back in 2020.

Joseph Rogers, 30, and Cherokee White, 28, have entered a guilty plea in Oklahoma County Court on Dec. 20, 2021.

The investigation began in Jan. 2020 after a Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit forwarded images depicting child pornography to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Read More >>

Loudoun County man sentenced to more than 15 years on child pornography charges

A Loudoun County man has been sentenced to 15 years, 10 months in prison for the reproduction and possession of child pornography, according to the Office of the Attorney General.

John W. Bruce, Jr. — a resident of Aldie, according to Virginia Circuit Court documents — pleaded guilty to three counts of reproduction and 10 counts of possession of child pornography. He received his sentence from Circuit Court Judge Benjamin N.A. Kendrick.