If you see something, say something

By Edna Clark

This is the message that was delivered to Van Horn 5th through 12th graders in an informative, well-received presentation on Tuesday by Special Agent Chuck Ainsworth, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Ainsworth, along with Sheriff Oscar Carrillo and CCAISD Principal Kittie Gibson, spoke about the dangers of and penalties for cyber-bullying, child pornography, sexting, and any other sending/receiving of minors (anyone under age 18) engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

According to Special Agent Ainsworth, the HSI is investigating two separate cases here in Van Horn where minors have been the targets/victims of cyber-bullying, child pornography, and sexting.

What is cyber-bullying, you might ask? Cyber-bullying is the use of cell phones, internet, or other devices to send or post images or texts that are intended to hurt or embarrass someone else. There are new state and federal laws that affect anyone who intentionally commits these cyber crimes. Penalties for this illegal activity range from appearing before a judge with parents/guardians, education programs, a juvenile record, fines, and jail or prison times of incarceration. Offenders face loss of trust, dignity, and reputations in their families, schools, and communities.

Is such activity present in Van Horn and West Texas? ABSOLUTELY YES! There are over 80,000 Registered Sex Offenders in Texas, with the largest percentage being found in Pecos, Reeves County, Texas. Unfortunately, there are many, many more that are not registered as is required by law. Special Agent Ainsworth told of such a case involving a Floridian convicted sex offender, Clyde Allen, who moved to Presidio but did not register with the State of Texas. Allen became a community leader and benevolence source for the area; he “kindly” purchased an internet system for the school children. Unbeknownst to the community, Allen used the internet to lure in 12 – 14 year old boys to his home where he molested them. Who would have believed the boys over the respected businessman if they had reported what he had done to them? An observant deputy did, and a monster was taken down.

If you see something, say something

How do parents protect their children from something like this from happening to them? Ainsworth gave some suggestions:

-Watch for late night texting (10PM – 2AM).

-Watch for excessive phone use in bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.

-Look for isolation from family and/or friends.

-Watch for multiple phones, accounts & profiles, and emails.

-Listen for locker room talk.

-Remove internet devices and phones at bedtime.

-Have central area for internet usage.

-Encourage children to NEVER share their passwords.

-If something doesn’t feel right, say something to school personnel, law enforcement, or HSI.

For those who have been victims of cyber-bullying, pornography, sexting, or other forms of phone/internet abuse, help and counseling at no charge is available through Homeland Security Investigations Units. The effects of this can last a lifetime because as Sheriff Carrillo said, “When you put something out there, it is out there for everyone to see. It is out there forever, so be careful.”

Special Agent Ainsworth closed the program by offering a one week grace period ending January 26th for students’ phones to be cleaned of any inappropriate or illegal data. Students would be given a clean slate to start over anew with proper behavior.  Phones are given to Mrs. Gibson for Ainsworth to clean and return to students, usually within about 24 hours. This offer is strictly voluntary; however, Ainsworth issued a stern warning to any student not taking advantage of the offer and having his/her phone(s) cleaned. If any student is involved in the previously mentioned investigations, and did not have his or her phones cleaned, he or she will be prosecuted under state and federal laws. Ainsworth stressed that we are all responsible to ourselves, schools, and communities for anything that is put on our phones and internet.

For any concerns, Special Agent Ainsworth can be contacted by calling 1-800-973-2867. Use the prompts and you will be transferred to the local Homeland Security Investigations Alpine office. The local Alpine number is 1-432-837-5120 Extension 239.

Is such activity present in Van Horn and West Texas? ABSOLUTELY YES! There are over 80,000 Registered Sex Offenders in Texas, with the largest percentage being found in Pecos, Reeves County, Texas. Unfortunately, there are many, many more that are not registered as is required by law. Special Agent Ainsworth told of such a case involving a Floridian convicted sex offender, Clyde Allen, who moved to Presidio but did not register with the State of Texas. Allen became a community leader and benevolence source for the area; he “kindly” purchased an internet system for the school children. Unbeknownst to the community, Allen used the internet to lure in 12 – 14 year old boys to his home where he molested them. Who would have believed the boys over the respected businessman if they had reported what he had done to them? An observant deputy did, and a monster was taken down.

If you see something, say something

How do parents protect their children from something like this from happening to them? Ainsworth gave some suggestions:

1.      Watch for late night texting (10PM – 2AM).

2.      Watch for excessive phone use in bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.

3.      Look for isolation from family and/or friends.

4.      Watch for multiple phones, accounts & profiles, and emails.

5.      Listen for locker room talk.

6.      Remove internet devices and phones at bedtime.

7.      Have central area for internet usage.

8.      Encourage children to NEVER share their passwords.

9.      If something doesn’t feel right, say something to school personnel, law enforcement, or HSI.

For those who have been victims of cyber-bullying, pornography, sexting, or other forms of phone/internet abuse, help and counseling at no charge is available through Homeland Security Investigations Units. The effects of this can last a lifetime because as Sheriff Carrillo said, “When you put something out there, it is out there for everyone to see. It is out there forever, so be careful.”

Special Agent Ainsworth closed the program by offering a one week grace period ending January 26th for students’ phones to be cleaned of any inappropriate or illegal data. Students would be given a clean slate to start over anew with proper behavior.  Phones are given to Mrs. Gibson for Ainsworth to clean and return to students, usually within about 24 hours. This offer is strictly voluntary; however, Ainsworth issued a stern warning to any student not taking advantage of the offer and having his/her phone(s) cleaned. If any student is involved in the previously mentioned investigations, and did not have his or her phones cleaned, he or she will be prosecuted under state and federal laws. Ainsworth stressed that we are all responsible to ourselves, schools, and communities for anything that is put on our phones and internet.

For any concerns, Special Agent Ainsworth can be contacted by calling 1-800-973-2867. Use the prompts and you will be transferred to the local Homeland Security Investigations Alpine office. The local Alpine number is 1-432-837-5120 Extension 239.

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