CMPD, NCSBI & FBI Media Briefing on Cyber Crimes Against Children

Published on June 28, 2023

Charlotte, N.C. – (Wednesday, June 28, 2023) – Today, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) along with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced a disturbing increase in cases of online crimes committed against children, including Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) as well as child exploitation and extortion.

The CMPD’s Special Victims Division was joined today by representatives from the NCSBI and the FBI to discuss the increasing dangers of online predators gaining access online to children and soliciting them to send explicit images.

“These crimes know no geographical, racial, or socioeconomic boundaries,” said CMPD Special Victims Division Lieutenant Jim Ivie. “They target both boys and girls and severely affect the mental health of our children. Our goal today is to bring this problem to light for parents and to keep our children from being victimized.”

Cyber tips reported to CMPD have increased from 98 tips reported in 2016 to 724 reported in 2022. According to the SBI, nearly 19,000 cyber tips were reported in North Carolina in 2022, up from approximately 2,500 in 2016.

“Given the nature of these types of crimes and the young, innocent victims who are abused and exploited, it is imperative that we work together to solve these cases,” said NCSBI Special Agent in Charge Kevin Roughton. “We are grateful for our partnerships with CMPD, FBI, and the many other state, local, and federal criminal justice agencies who help ensure that those who prey upon our children are brought to justice and held accountable.”

Between 2021 to 2022, the FBI is reporting a 600% increase in sextortion cases in North Carolina. Sextortion is defined as the practice of extorting money or sexual favors from an individual by threatening to reveal evidence of their sexual activity. So far this year, there have been 123 reported victims of ‘sextortion’ across the state. In some tragic instances, victims have taken their own lives out of embarrassment and fear.

"Many dedicated law enforcement officers strive daily to bring those who harm children to justice, but every investigation we work, means a crime has already happened and a child is already harmed, “said FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beth Boggess. “The FBI is often asked where criminals are lurking. It’s simple, they are anywhere our children are online. Parents are the first line of defense." 

Parental involvement is a necessary measure to keep your child safe.  Here are some tips to protect your child:

• Always monitor your child’s online presence and keep parental controls on your child’s electronic devices.

• Discuss with your child what is appropriate online

• Never send any inappropriate/explicit images to ANYONE

• Never chat online with someone you do not know in person

• Limit and monitor the amount of time your child spends on their devices

To report abuse in Charlotte, call 911 or 311 and make a report.  You can also contact the North Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) Cyber Tip Line, by visiting cybertipline.org or calling 1-800-THE-LOST.  To report images you believe are being circulated online, visit Takeitdown.ncmec.org.

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