CYBER TROOPERS MAKE ARREST FOR SEXUAL SOLICITATION OF A MINOR - 8 views
started by kenneth yang on 18 Aug 09
started by kenneth yang on 18 Aug 09
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A man who had been making online plans to allegedly have sex with someone he thought was a 13-year old girl, had his plans interrupted this morning when he was arrested by members of the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit.
The suspect is identified as Christopher Scott Fowble, 30, of the 800-block of South Darby Street in Baltimore, Maryland. He is charged with one count of solicitation of a minor. If convicted, he could face up to ten years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.
The investigation began in June 2009, when an undercover state trooper assigned to the Computer Crimes Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force entered a Maryland chat room. The online identity indicated the person was a young girl. Communication was received from an individual who identified himself as a 30 year old male from Baltimore.
During the next few weeks, online conversations occurred between the man and an undercover trooper posing as a 13-year-old girl. Most of the conversations had sexual overtones or were discussions of the two meeting for sex. Investigators identified the adult as the suspect, Fowble.
On August 11, 2009, through instant messaging, Fowble made arrangements to meet the person he thought was a 13-year-old girl in Baltimore and have sexual intercourse with her. The two were to meet at 10:00 a.m.
Fowble arrived at the designated meeting place shortly before 10:00 a.m. He was arrested by Maryland State Police and taken to Central Booking for processing. The Baltimore City Police Department assisted in the arrest.
Maryland's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is coordinated by the Maryland State Police. It is made up of federal, state, county, and municipal law enforcement officers dedicated to identifying and apprehending criminals exploiting and victimizing children through the use of the internet. The Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit investigates all varieties of computer related criminal activity and operates the Computer Forensics Laboratory. State Police provide assistance to police departments throughout Maryland in computer crime investigations.For more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar,Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
Summary
This case is about a 30 year old who had been attempting to allegedly have sex with someone he thought was a 13-year old girl. However, his plans were interrupted when he was arrested by members of the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit. It all began when a state trooper of the unit faked an online identity as a 13 year old girl on a Maryland chat room and intentionally lured this 30 year old man in proposing a meet-up for sexual intercourse. The man was finally arrested when he showed up at the designated meeting place.
Ethical Question
Was it ethical for the Police Computer Crimes Unit to have a fake online persona in their pursuit of bringing online criminals behind bars? Is it morally right for government bodies to resort to such "trickery" in their mission to arrest online criminals?
Problem
It is lawfully right for the Police Computer Crimes Unit in making an arrest of sexual solicitation of a minor. However, the use of 'bait' in the form of a fake online identity was seen as an effective method in arresting this 30 year old man. Ethically speaking, the authorities shouldn't resort to such a method in arresting people guilty of such indecent online acts.