U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich today announced a grant award of $346,984 from the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to a Montana task force that investigates internet crimes against children and the exploitation of children.
The grant for the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force from OJP's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) will allow the task force to maintain, expand and improve its effectiveness in preventing, interdicting, investigating and prosecuting internet crimes against children and technology-related child exploitation.
The grant is among nearly $105 million in Justice Department OJP awards announced earlier this month to protect children from exploitation, trauma and abuse, and to fund improvements in the judicial system's handling of child abuse and neglect cases.
"Children should be allowed to live, grow, learn and thrive in environments that are supportive and nurturing, but many are deprived of that opportunity by threats to their health and safety," said Administrator Liz Ryan of OJP's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). "By delivering these resources to the professionals who devote their careers and lives to protecting children, we are making good on our commitment to the well-being of America's young people."
"I am pleased to announce this grant for the Montana ICAC Task Force. This program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing investigations of those who use technology, like the internet and social media, to sexually exploit and harm children through child pornography, coercion and trafficking activities. We remain committed to keeping our children safe and to aggressively pursuing predators," U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
Grants from OJP's OJJDP are distributing millions of dollars to local, state and Tribal jurisdictions throughout the United States, the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia to support child protection efforts.
The OJJDP grant for the Montana ICAC Task Force was awarded to the Montana Department of Justice, which administers the funding. The ICAC Task Force's primary goal is expand the quantity and quality of detection, investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of electronic technology-facilitated crimes against children. The task force also will provide education programs for law enforcement officers, teachers, parents, and children; serve as a resource to law enforcement agencies for both investigations and forensic examination; assist as needed with the prosecution of cases; and participate in nationally coordinated investigations.
This award is being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about ODJJP and other OJP awards can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation's capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and strengthen the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at http://www.ojp.gov.
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