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County joins task force to battle crimes against children
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Houston County joined approximately 40 other counties and cities throughout Minnesota in a concerted effort to fight crimes committed against children through the Internet. Lindsey Pierce, a computer forensic technician working with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office brought a request to the Nov. 18 county board meeting asking that Houston County join the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (MICACTF).
Pierce explained there will be no cost to the county to join the task force, but the county will receive numerous benefits to help fight this ever-growing type of crime against kids. The state received a $500,000 grant to be used through October, 2010 to pay for law enforcement officers’ overtime, their training as well as prosecuting attorneys, and software used to apprehend persons soliciting juveniles and propagating child pornography over the Internet.
“I strongly recommend the county become part of this task force,” Sheriff Doug Ely said. “Scott (Chief Deputy Scott Yeitter) and I attended a meeting on this last week. At the present time, there are over 4500 ip (computer) addresses linked to solicitation or child pornography just in Minnesota. We recently had a case in Caledonia, and there was also one recently in Stewartville. It’s all over the place. This is one way to combat it.”
Houston County Attorney Sue Bublitz was also at the county board meeting. She told the board she had reviewed the proposal and felt it was a good idea to participate in. Being able to receive extra funds for additional training is a real plus, according to Bublitz. The county attorney added that it might be possible to obtain additional help in prosecuting a larger case for some of the smaller counties or communities.
Pierce also pointed out being part of the task force would also provide help from the FBI, the Secret Service, and other state and federal law enforcement agencies.
A motion by Commissioner Larry Connery and seconded by Commissioner Dave Corcoran was unanimously passed.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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