First Advisor

Browne, Stephen

Thesis Committee Member(s)

Lindley, Don

College

College for Professional Studies

Degree Name

MS Criminology

School

School of Humanities & Social Sciences

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Number of Pages

55 pages

Abstract

Online crimes against children are a daunting problem facing law enforcement today. The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force reported 76,961 complaints in 2010-2011. The purpose of this study was to describe the unique approach of the Jefferson County Child Sex Offender Internet Investigations (CSOII, nicknamed "Cheezo") Unit, analyze the arrest data of Cheezo, and determine if Cheezo could be used as a best methods approach against this problem. A demographic study was conducted on the Cheezo arrest data, as well as comparison analysis of arrest totals, prosecution rates, and educational presentations provided to the community. Comparisons were conducted with Cheezo and the following programs; ICAC task force, Colorado ICAC task force, and a non-profit volunteer organization called Perverted Justice. All data comparisons showed Cheezo, with three full-time investigators, was able to come within 38% of arrest totals, and 37% of prosecution totals of the Colorado ICAC and Perverted Justice, respectively. Cheezo also coordinates a very successful educational program, providing approximately 130 presentations a year at schools and events. Cheezo was identified as an excellent prototype to be used to combat online child sex crimes.

Date of Award

Spring 2013

Location (Creation)

Colorado (state); Denver (county); Denver (inhabited place)

Rights Statement

All content in this Collection is owned by and subject to the exclusive control of Regis University and the authors of the materials. It is available only for research purposes and may not be used in violation of copyright laws or for unlawful purposes. The materials may not be downloaded in whole or in part without permission of the copyright holder or as otherwise authorized in the “fair use” standards of the U.S. copyright laws and regulations.

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