FBI Asks Public to Help Identify Child Predator - East Idaho News
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FBI Asks Public to Help Identify Child Predator

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111213 JohnDoe27FBI?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1384295048043FBI(WASHINGTON) — He allegedly sexually exploits children, has a southern accent, and may go by the name “Jimmy.” The FBI has dubbed him “John Doe 27,” and is looking for the public’s help in discovering who he really is, and tracking him down for arrest.

Investigators from the FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children Program used sophisticated image analysis to develop a picture of John Doe 27, who allegedly sexually exploited a young girl in at least two videos posted on several online pornography forums.

“These types of individuals typically don’t stop with the victim,” says FBI Special Agent Shanna Daniels. “That’s why we need to catch him before other children are victimized.”

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children discovered the original video in April 2013. Subsequent image enhancement revealed that the suspect appears to be a Caucasian male between 40 and 50 years old with dark eyes and dark hair that’s beginning to gray. Investigators believe the man has a mustache, noticeable bald spot, may wear glasses and has a ring on his right ring finger.

They have also identified a distinctive plaid chair, which they hope an acquaintance of the suspect or victim may be able to recognize. Though they have searched for clues linking the incident to a particular state or region, investigators have been unable to narrow their search geographically.

“The only thing we can say for certain is that this guy is an offender, and we need to stop him,” Daniels said.

Hoping for a speedy resolution, the FBI is circulating their enhanced photos on Twitter and the Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP), an initiative that rallies support from the media and the public to help identify men and women who display their faces or other distinguishing characteristics, such as tattoos, in pornographic material.

Since the 2004 inception of ECAP, the FBI has investigated 27 unidentified suspects and has successfully identified and prosecuted 17. According to an FBI press release, these cases have led to the identification of more than 29 victims of child sexual exploitation.

“Thanks to media exposure and the public’s help, the first two cases I worked on were solved within 24 hours of publicizing the suspects’ pictures,” said Daniels. “It’s extremely gratifying to get these offenders off the streets – and we couldn’t be as successful as we have been without the support of concerned citizens.”

Investigators also hope to recover the exploited child, whose image continues to circulate in pornographic videos still posted on the web.

Anyone with information should submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov, or call the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

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