Bedford hopes D.C. trip pays off

The News & Advance, Lynchburg, Va., Monday, October 4, 1999

by Erin Martin

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Members of the Operation Blue Ridge Thunder team made their pitch to Congress Thursday.  Now they're just hoping the legislators listened.

The briefing showed congressmen and their staffs graphic pictures, staggering statistics and the educational program to protect Bedford County's children.  With positive feedback, they look for better awareness and support of legislation punishing pedophiles in the future.

Commonwealth's Attorney Randy Krantz said he would like to see other states tighten penalties on child Internet pornography and improve agencies' equipment and training.  Sheriff Mike Brown said he hopes the briefing sparked support for future money for the county and other agencies.

Bedford County was one of 10 law enforcement agencies nationwide to share the $2.4 million from the Department of Justice.  The county received a $200,000 grant that is renewable for three years.

Because the team's cases often involve pornography transmitted over state lines, Krantz's office works closely with jurisdictions outside of Virginia.  When the case comes to a close and the pedophile is arrested, they pick which state has the stiffer penalties or try the defendant in federal court, if applicable.

Bedford County's law enforcement has been doing much of the work because it has better equipment, training and statues than some other states.

"It is not the intention of Bedford County to prosecute all these cases," Krantz said, emphasizing teamwork and his hope for more agencies to get the grant.  "If we find an offender, our policy is to notify that locality.  Some states don't have the experience, resources or laws to prosecute that person.  It may be a low-level offense there."

Internet pornographers are typically skilled in computers and know in which states they can transmit, Krantz said.

Previously, production of Internet [child] pornography was a felony, but officers had to catch the offender in the process of doing it.

Now, with a bill introduced by Del. Kathy Byron, R-Lynchburg, the state's penalty for possession of the images is a Class 3 misdemeanor instead of a Class 1.  That change increases the jail time up to a year and up to a $2,500 fine.

Statutes in Virginia on solicitation of sex from minors are broader, and those convicted for possession and distribution must forfeit their computer.  Additionally, [convicted child] pornographers are added to the state sex offenders registry.

At the federal level, several bills are being sponsored in the House of Representatives, said Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-6th District.

A bill introduced by Rep. Nancy Johnson, R-Conn., gives the U.S. Customs Service greater resources to combat child Internet pornography.  The bill, approved by the House in May, gives customs $10 million to increase agents policing the Internet and to train local law enforcers.

Rep. Bob Franks, R-N.J., began a bill that focuses on school Internet access.

"The one with the best chance of success right now is one requiring schools and libraries to have Internet filtering to get funding," Goodlatte said.  "One of the things I want us to do is not just contribute money, but to increase finds for the Department of Justice grants like what Bedford County received."

After Thursday's briefing, Goodlatte circulated a letter to congressmen asking those working on the budget to expand allotted dollars for Internet crackdown.

"When the next appropriations cycle begins in January, we'll pool together to do individual law changes to help law enforcement deal with these issues," he said.

While federal legislation can encourage states to heighten their own penalties, "we shouldn't tell particular states what to do," Goodlatte said.

The thrust of Brown's comments on Capitol Hill stressed the professionalism of local law enforcement -- that many of these officers are just as qualified as federal agents.

"These are not the agencies of 20, 30 and 40 years ago.  We are progressing and, in general, are well-educated," he said.  "I wanted [the congressmen] to see how bad [the problem of child pornography] is and that they should direct money to the local level instead of dribbling it down from the state and federal levels."

While Brown said it is too early to predict legislation inspired by the presentation, "the wheels are turning," he said.