Attorney General Awards Special Commendation To Arizona Crimes Against Children Task Force At Missing Children's Day Ceremony

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch today honored the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force during the annual Missing Children's Day ceremony.

The Attorney General presented 11 members of the Arizona ICAC Team with the Attorney General's Special Commendation Award, which recognizes the extraordinary efforts of an ICAC task force or affiliate agency for making significant investigative or program contributions.

"The selfless and heroic acts that we recognize today are proof that vigilance and compassion can stand as bulwarks against the dangers faced by our children," said Attorney General Lynch.  "I am inspired by the courage of our award recipients and proud to stand with them as we work for a safer and more just future for the young people of America."

The Arizona ICAC team received the commendation for arresting Roxanne Chapin, a Phoenix woman who was sexually abusing and exploiting her two young sons and videotaping and sharing the abuse with others. Investigators examined Chapin's cell phone and extracted numerous images of the abuse and several thousand communication records from email, private chats, social media and other communications, which they used to track down other sexual predators in the United States and other countries.

Chapin's arrest in January 2015 has led to four children being rescued from sexual abuse, the capture of six registered sex offenders and the arrest and indictment of more than 30 individuals in 14 states, the United Kingdom, Spain and Sweden. Chapin was sentenced to 35 years in prison with lifetime probation and must register as a sex offender. The investigation is ongoing.

The following task force members were recognized for their contributions to the investigation:

• Detective Frank Angel, Phoenix Police Department
• Sergeant Jerry Barker, Arizona ICAC Commander, Phoenix Police Department 
• Detective Michael Bosworth, Phoenix Police Department
• Detective Patricia Fimbres, Phoenix Police Department
• Detective Michael Fiore, Phoenix Police Department
• Detective David Haddad, Phoenix Police Department
• Detective Kellie McGhee, Phoenix Police Department
• Detective Eric Oldenburg, Phoenix Police Department
• Prosecuting Attorney Erin Pedicone, Maricopa County Attorney's Office
• Special Agent Candace Rose, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Phoenix
• Detective Randy Snyder, Pinal County Sheriff's Office

In addition to ICAC team, the Attorney General recognized the efforts of five other individuals for their extraordinary efforts in protecting children. The Attorney General also recognized Michael Wu, a fifth grader from Walnut Elementary School, Walnut, Calif., as the 17th winner of the Annual National Missing Children's Day Art Contest. 

The Office of Justice Programs, headed by Assistant Attorney General Karol E. Mason, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims. OJP has five component bureaus: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; and the Office for Victims of Crime. Additionally, OJP has two program offices: the Community Capacity Development Office, which incorporates the Weed and Seed strategy, and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART).  More information can be found at http://www.ojp.gov.

SOURCE Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs

Related Links

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov