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Members-Only Online Kiddie Porn Users in SoCal Targeted in Federal Raids
Photo by banspy via Flickr
An international online "members only" child pornography network called "Dreamboard" has been raided by federal authorities, and of the more than 600 of the users targeted, 72 have been charged and 52 arrested, including 6 men from Southern California."Dreamboard" allowed members to swap tens of thousands of sexually explicit images of children under the age of 12.
The Associated Press explains the scope of the investigation:
Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Wednesday a 20-month law enforcement effort called Operation Delego targeted more than 600 Dreamboard members around the world for allegedly participating in the private, members-only Internet club created to promote pedophilia.
The images and videos often depicted adults molesting the children, sometimes in a violent manner.
Locally, one high-profile Angeleno was the target of an FBI raid for use of child pornography online via a file sharing site, though the case is not currently being linked to the Dreamboard raid. In that instance, 63-year-old Los Angeles City Commissioner Albert Abrams found his Tarzana home raided and his computer confiscated for his online activities under the handle 'BoyWonderUSA.'
Abrams, who was eying Councilman Dennis Zine's seat according to Chatsworth Patch, offered his resignation Wednesday, which was accepted by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Abrams did not deny having the porn on his computer and watching it, however he blamed it on his "split personality," which he links to his having tumors. He has not been arrested.
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