Human trafficking: As easy as ordering a pizza

“It’s just as easy as ordering a pizza, to order a person.” These haunting words, spoken by an undercover Dayton detective, encapsulate a fragment of both the horror and pervasiveness of the human trafficking crisis facing our country in the digital age. “It’s everywhere because of the online environment,” the detective said. “There’s no boundaries or limitations.” Full Article

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Will More Kids Be Branded Sex Offenders for Life?

On May 22, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Federal Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act of 2017. The House’s judiciary subcommittee on crime, terrorism, homeland security and investigations worked to reauthorize the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, the only federal law that requires states, tribes and other jurisdictions to register children who have committed sexual offenses. Full Article

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Are Geek Squad agents spying for the FBI?

Yes, they carry badges and drive black-and-white vehicles. But some Geek Squad agents appear to have taken the “agent” part of their titles a bit too literally. Best Buy, the consumer-electronics giant that owns the on-call computer-repair service, recently admitted that four employees took money from the FBI after the agency received information from the agents about customers suspected of possessing child pornography. As a result, the Electronic Frontier Foundation in San Francisco is suing the Justice Department to disclose the extent of the FBI’s relationship with Best Buy. Full…

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VA: Child porn producers should be “shot,” federal judge suggests in a Norfolk courtroom

From the bench this week, a federal judge unafraid of offering blunt opinions suggested anyone who produces child pornography should be shot. An exact quote of what Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Doumar said Tuesday during a case involving the collection of child porn was not available, but in an interview Thursday, the octogenarian reiterated the comment multiple times. “I said it. I said that they should be shot,” said Doumar, whom President Ronald Reagan nominated to the bench more than 35 years ago. Full Article

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ATSA Position Statement re. HR 1761

The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) makes the following statement regarding the May 25, 2017, passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of HR 1761, the Protecting Against Child Exploitation Act of 2017: We applaud the intent of this bill to strengthen statutes prohibiting the production and distribution of child pornography. Child sexual abuse is a horrific crime that can cause long-term trauma and harm to those who are abused. Unfortunately, this bill, as passed, creates the unintended consequence of criminalizing all transmissions of sexual images of minors. This…

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Statewide Survey–Occupational Licensing Boards & Criminal Records

Root & Rebound is taking the first step in trying to connect and coordinate statewide efforts to reduce Occupational Licensing Bans and Barriers based on a candidate’s criminal record, and are asking for 15 minutes of your time to tell us about any work you are involved in through this survey: CA Criminal Records & Occupational Licensing Advocacy & Representation Coordinating Statewide Efforts This will help us to understand what is happening in the current landscape and where our efforts and statewide coordination are needed and not needed (just as…

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At $75,560, housing a prisoner in California now costs more than a year at Harvard

The price for each inmate has doubled since 2005, even as court orders related to overcrowding have reduced the population by about one-quarter. Salaries and benefits for prison guards and medical providers drove much of the increase. The result is a per-inmate cost that is the nation’s highest — and $2,000 above tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses to attend Harvard. Full Article

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Living with 290: Annual update question

I did my annual update today in San Bernardino County. I have owned the same home for 3 years. Unfortunately the utility bills are all in my wife’s name. I have been following these posts and receive email updates but this is my first post. The last 2 years the Victorville Police Dept has required a utility bill and a letter from my wife stating I live with her. I have read the PC 290.015 code and presented them today with one of my bank statements. After asking them to…

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