From: newsbytes@clarinet.com (NB-MSP)
Newsgroups: clari.nb.online,clari.nb.top
Subject:  ****Child Porn Ring Using America Online Busted 09/14/95
Keywords: Bureau-MSP, NEWS
Date: 14 Sep 95 19:54:05 GMT

VIENNA, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1995 SEP 14 (NB) -- The Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) said it has arrested 12 suspected pedophiles and
pornographers who allegedly used the America Online (NASDAQ:AMER)
service to distribute graphic images and lure minors to have sex with
them. The arrests come in the wake of a nationwide two-year
investigation called "Innocent Images," and resulted in raids of more
than 120 homes.

The FBI used undercover agents to snare the 12 suspects, and more
arrests are likely. In total, the raids were conducted in 57 of the
nation's 94 federal districts, although most concentrated on the East
coast. The Justice Department confirmed the cities involved include
Miami, New York City, Dallas, and Newark, New Jersey.

No other details are being released at this time, the FBI said,
because authorities want to complete arresting suspects before
talking further.

FBI officials said the "Innocent Images" operation is the first time
federal agents have investigated the alleged misuse of a nationwide
online service. Although US child protection laws already make it
illegal to create, possess, or distribute child pornography, Congress
is debating whether it should put in place stricter laws which would
restrict the types of materials distributed over computer networks.
Those types of networks include online services like AOL, and the
Internet.

AOL used a "Community Update" letter to alert its members about the
misuse of the service, although the message didn't say anything about
the FBI investigation or raids. Steve Case, president of AOL, said
members forwarded to AOL's Terms of Service (TOS) staff electronic-mail
(e-mail) messages containing graphic files that appeared to be child
pornography. "Upon receiving this material and verifying that it was a
violation of TOS and in all likelihood illegal, we immediately
contacted the law enforcement authorities," he said. TOS refers to a
series of guidelines all AOL members must adhere to if they want to
use the service.

Case said the service does not monitor any private communications,
including e-mail, instant messages sent between two members, and
private chat rooms. But if a member reports a potential member, "we
will enforce the AOL Terms of Service and comply with federal and state
laws," he said. Those actions include terminating a user's account and
reporting them to the proper authorities after a court order or
subpoena is served.

AOL staffers are working hard to combat such illegal uses of the online
service, Case said. The Terms of Service crew and online volunteers
are being aggressively staffed to provide help to members in public
chat rooms and other areas of the service. Members are asked to use
an online "neighborhood watch" type program to report illegal activity.
Case also said parental controls are also being beefed up to allow
parents to limit their children's access to various parts of AOL and
the Internet. In addition, the TOS policies are more prominent
throughout the service, and new members must "proactively review and
agree to abide by them," Case said.

"To those using AOL for illegal purposes, let the message be heard: we
will terminate the accounts of those participating and we will notify
the proper authorities of any illegal activity that is brought to our
attention," he added.

Case did ask members to keep these incidents in perspective. "Although
it is disheartening, the fact is that any community with more than 3.5
million citizens will have its share of illegal activity."

(Bob Woods/19950914/Press Contact: Pam McGraw, America
Online, 703-556-3746)