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Evans builds new Internet Crime Unit --- Team will track down sexual predators, identity thieves and software pirates

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To lead this new team, Evans has recruited the same officers who created the first county Internet Crime Unit in Michigan, which received national attention for its groundbreaking work. That unit, however, was disbanded late last year by the previous Sheriff’s administration.

"Internet crime, specifically in the area of sexual predators, is growing at an alarming rate every day. Our children are at risk and we need to use every tool we can to protect them," Evans said. "It is important that parents, and potential online predators, know that someone is watching."

Evans said the unit will consist of several officers, who will go online and pose as children in Internet Chat Rooms. Once a potential predator contacts them, the officers will establish a relationship that may eventually lead to a request for a sexual encounter. If a meeting is arranged, an arrest will be made at the time of the meeting.

Unit's Role Expanded
Although its primary focus will be on sexual predators, Evans said the unit’s scope will be expanded beyond what it was previously.

"Other types of criminals we will target are identity thieves and computer software pirates," Evans said. "Senior Citizens, especially, are vulnerable to being tricked into providing vital personal information that can lead to disastrous consequences."

In fact, estimates by consumer advocates suggest that as many as 750,000 identities are stolen each year. An increasing number of those identities are stolen over the Internet, Evans said.

Evans said the unit will begin operating immediately and hopes it will be able to make its first arrest in the coming weeks.

Anyone wishing to report criminal activity in any of these areas can call Wayne County’s Internet Crime Unit at 313-224-0700 anytime.

For more information on how to avoid identity theft and Internet predators, view the Identity Theft and Internet Predators fact sheets.

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