SALEM, Ohio (WKBN) – Law enforcement in Columbiana County say they’ve noticed a disturbing trend: an increase in child pornography cases.
“As you know, the task force itself has already resulted in nine indictments,” said an undercover agent with the Valley’s Human Trafficking Task Force, whose identity WKBN is withholding. “We still have four open cases where we’ve executed search warrants.”
In addition to the nine cases prosecuted through the special investigation unit this year, several more were handled through local police departments.
“You know, almost halfway through this year, sales are four times higher than last year,” the agent said.
Investigators also said many of those arrested had hundreds of obscene images on their phones or computers, but some had tens of thousands of images.
Investigators believe online platforms such as Google may be flagging images uploaded to state or federal databases, which then pass them on to local police, often featuring young children.
“I don’t have an answer as to why it’s so inflated this year,” the agent said. “It’s disturbing. It’s disgusting.”
Investigators said the chances of catching the suspects are increasing all the time, adding that those convicted face stiff penalties of up to 40 or 50 years.
“The judges and prosecutors here take this very seriously in our county,” the agent said. “If you’re in your 30s or 40s, it’s almost a life sentence.”
