Members of the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force were recognized as Child Defenders of the Month for January in recognition of their many efforts to protect children from the harms of sexual predators on the Internet. 

Phoenix Councilman Greg Stanton, Assistant Police Chief Kevin

Phoenix Councilman Greg Stanton and Assistance Police Chief Kevin Robinson accepted the award on behalf of the ICAC team members whose diligent efforts resulted in the arrest of a suspected child pornographer in December.  Members of the Phoenix Police Department, Scottsdale Police Department, and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement attended the ceremony in Phoenix. 

In late 2006, the Arizona ICAC collaborated with the Phoenix Police Department, Special Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and a detective from the Scottsdale Police Department in an investigation of a suspected child pornographer.  Led by Detective David Elting, the team conducted a proactive investigation and identified a Phoenix home as the source of contraband videos and images of child pornography.  During the investigation, it was revealed that one of the residents of the home had a lengthy and violent criminal history.  Upon entry onto the property by the Phoenix Police Department Special Assignment Unit, the suspect Shawn Hazelton admitted to the offenses.  Additionally, a cursory forensics examination of computer media located at the residence revealed unlawful contraband images of child pornography.  Hazelton was booked and charged with seven counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.  During the ceremony, Councilman Stanton applauded the collaborative effort in this case. 

The ICAC Task Force is a multi-agency network of Arizona based law enforcement personnel whose mission is to apprehend and bring to justice Internet sexual predators and child pornographers.  Investigations focus primarily on the crimes of sexual exploitation of a minor and the luring of minors for sexual exploitation, but also include cases involving child prostitution and obscenity directed towards minors where the Internet was used as an integral part of the crime. 

Since 1998, detectives, special agents and prosecutors have recorded over 2,600 investigations resulting in over 250 arrests or indictments.  Offenders have received over 550 years of incarceration and many lifetimes of probation.

Within Arizona, the Task Force is networked through memoranda of understanding with 47 state, county and local law enforcement agencies.  ICAC investigators also work cooperatively with Federal colleagues from the F.B.I., Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Secret Service in enforcement of the United States Code violations involving Internet crimes against children.  The Arizona ICAC is one of 46 regional Task Forces located across the country.

The National Law Center for Children and Families is proud to recognize members of the Arizona ICAC Task Force as the Child Defenders of the Month for January 2007.