Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation
1. What is child sexual exploitation? Child sexual
exploitation can involve the following: Possession, manufacture and
distribution of child pornography; online enticement of children for sexual
acts; child prostitution; child sex tourism and; child sexual molestation.
2. Is it against the law? Yes, in 1999, the
Wyoming Legislature passed the Sexual Exploitation of Children Act, W.S.
6-4-303. This law makes is illegal for anyone to: cause, induce, entice or
coerce a child to engage in, or be used for in the making of child pornography,
or any explicit sexual conduct; or to manufacture, generate, create, receive,
distribute, reproduce or possess any child pornography. It may also be a violation of other Wyoming statues such as
Sexual Assault, Incest, Child Endangerment as well as being a federal crime.
3. What is the penalty under state law? A
conviction under the Sexual Exploitation of Children statute is a felony
punishable by up to (12) years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine and provides for
the forfeiture of property and proceeds derived from the sexual exploitation of
children.
4. Is this a problem in Wyoming? In 2001, there were
(72) investigations conducted involving cyber crimes. Of these (52) involved
sexual exploitation of children related offenses. There were (23) arrests made
by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in Wyoming involving the
sexual exploitation of children in 2001. These arrests involved travelers, distribution
and possession of child pornography.
5. What is being done about this problem in
Wyoming? In May, 2000, the Wyoming Division of Criminal
Investigation was awarded a federal grant from the United States Department of
Justice for the Investigation of Internet Crimes Against Children
(ICAC). Wyoming is one of thirty ICAC Task Forces
in the country funded through the Department of Justice. This grant is used to
provide training to Wyoming investigators and prosecutors regarding child
exploitation investigations and prosecutions, to assist with public awareness
regarding this issue in Wyoming, and provide advanced technical training,
software and equipment for combating Internet crimes involving children.
6. What can I do? Educate your children regarding the Internet.
Know where your children are going on the Internet. Talk to your children about
chat rooms and what are appropriate or inappropriate conversations in a chat
room.
7.
How can I report child sexual exploitation in Wyoming? Report suspected child sexual exploitation to your local law
enforcement agency, the Wyoming Department of Family Services, the National
Cybertip line operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children (NCMEC) at http://www.cybertipline.com/
Rev: 02-22-2002