Homeland Security Investigations personnel were recently recognized by Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite Jr. for their transnational investigation targeting child pornography distributors.
The U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division Assistant Attorney General Awards was held Jan. 19 in Washington, D.C., according to a news release. Among those recognized for Operation Whiplash were five from HSI Philadelphia and one from HSI Houston.
“Their efforts to dismantle these vile networks and put the individuals responsible behind bars are truly worthy of recognition, and I commend them for their unyielding commitment to protect our most vulnerable population,” HSI Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson said in the release.
Personnel from the Department of Justice and the law enforcement community are honored each year at the awards event for their great contributions to society, the release reported. Operation Whiplash "targets hosts, owners, network administrators and moderators who were operating internet relay chats to share child sexual abuse material."
Operation Whiplash resulted in the indictment and arrest of 17 network administrators who distributed child sexual abuse material in the U.S. and Europe, according to the release. The operation is credited with 22 arrests, 22 indictments and 10 convictions, as well as 17 collateral investigations and a number of investigative referrals leading to 16 additional arrests, 14 indictments and four convictions.
“One of HSI’s greatest priorities is to unmask child predators around the world who seek to hide their identities behind a supposed veil of anonymity on the internet," HSI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker said in the release. "Our HSI special agents and criminal analysts have the skills, technology and drive to lift this veil and expose these criminals and their heinous crimes to the world."
Walker noted the awards "personify the dedication of HSI personnel in Philadelphia and Houston who, working side-by-side, dismantled a network of prolific purveyors and distributors of child sexual abuse material located across the globe," according to the release.
Walker said he is proud of the "dedicated investigators and prosecutors who, through cooperation and personal sacrifice, have once again safeguarded our children from such threats,” the release reported.
