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April 24, 2015Alexandria, VA, United StatesChild Exploitation

Arlington man sentenced to 16 years for production, possession of child pornography

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — An Arlington man was sentenced Friday to 192 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release for production and possession of child pornography. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Fairfax County Police Department with assistance from the Northern Virginia/DC Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

According to court documents, Patrick Joseph Friedel, 29, of Arlington, met five young teenagers online and exchanged sexually explicit images with them. Friedel persuaded the teenagers to send him these images by sending them depictions of other minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He also coerced his victims by threatening to post images online and tell their parents about their activities. On three occasions, Friedel picked up one of the minors and engaged in sexual activity with her. He took pictures and videos of this activity, which included sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence.

Friedel pleaded guilty Jan. 16.

This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2014, more than 2,300 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.

HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.

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