It's not often in our line of business we are able to catch the bad guy who really is hurting a child. Everyday we see the horrid images of child pornography and can only imagine really contributing to stopping this activity that is so mentally and physically degrading to young kids.  Fortunately the unit, because of the nature of the abuse and other tangible factor, we felt had a high chance to actively investigate and save a child.  Thanks to the foresight of the unit's supervisor, we were given the time and help to make the goal of this particular investigation to come true.  In this circumstance, the creator, the distributor of TARA series of still photographs and movies was the target.

No one should think this was investigation was easy. It started with a hospital ribbon that several of the examiners were ask to identify in a photograph from the FBI. Lots of teamwork in the unit and from many other agencies, along with many man hours, and with one of our forensic examiners going far beyond the call of duty, we were able to solve this case. And this was a case that really was necessary for everyone to get involved, do their part in the investigation to solve it.

Since the bad guy has been arrested, we have received much support and congratulations on our work. We have also had many requests to talk about the techniques we used to get to the bad guy.  We could and can talk all day about the various techniques from finding files on the peer to peer network that led to the curtains and bed spread; that were traced to the hotel in Georgia; where the crime was committed. Or we could talk about the great work the FBI had done on the case before we got involved. But that really this case is about is good old fashion foot work . . . just maybe done in a more technological way.

And like any case, we went where the leads led us, other bad guys were arrested as a result, not always related to the TARA case . . . and eventually we got our man.  The story would make a good TV plot with its many twist and turns.  We had dead ends in Washington and Texas, but with arrests on other collectors and distributors of child pornography.

In the end, we have all thought why did this happen to this child, what are the short and long term effects on the child, and how about the effects of the family?  Where were her parents, friends, neighbors and any siblings?  Why didn't anyone see it and stop it before it got to the point it did? Really sexual abuse for at least 3 years! And how will everyone involved deal with the mental and social issues that are sure to come?

Many questions and there are many more child victims out there. I know in Maine that the incident of child pornography contacts has increased dramatically every year. One save, but many other victims out there. The need for more support and funding is clear, but it is also clear that this is issue that everyone needs to get involved in.

Some links to the TARA case.

New Details: Maine investigator helped track LaFayette Child Porn Suspect

Maine Police help Crack Child Pornography Case

Maine sleuths aid in rescue of sexually abused girl

Maine police unit helps nab admitted child rapist

Ga. man arrested in international child porn case

Man accused in child porn ring denied bond

LaFayette, Ga., man faces child pornography charges

Disgusted with the system; Ga. man arrested in international child porn case