ICE special agents honored by Department of Justice
Two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) special agents were honored Wednesday, May 20, at the Department of Justice’s Missing Children’s Day ceremony for their efforts to recover missing children, rescue children from abuse and prosecute sexual predators.
“Having our agents recognized by the Justice Department highlights HSI’s commitment to combat sexual exploitation,” said Peter T. Edge, HSI Executive Associate Director. “We have a responsibility to protect our children. In doing so, we will continue to work aggressively with our law enforcement partners and leave no stone unturned.”
HSI San Diego Special Agent William Thompson was awarded The Attorney General’s Special Commendation which recognizes an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force or affiliate agency for significant investigative contributions. Williams identified 28 child victims in 10 states who were manipulated into sharing sexually explicit images of themselves.
HSI Norfolk Special Agent Paul Wolpert received the Mission Children’s Child Protection Award which honors a law enforcement officer who made a significant investigative contribution to protect children from abuse or victimization. Wolpert’s work uncovered the videotaped sexual abuse of children between one and five years old. His investigation led five women to plead guilty to producing child pornography, and to the conviction and life sentence of one man on 31 counts, including producing child pornography.
Other recipients honored in front of more than 250 attendees included a high school assistant principal and a Maryland state police officer.
“This Department of Justice will never pause; will never rest; and will never cease in our effort to protect this country’s young people,” said Attorney General Lynch, who presided over the ceremony. “We will do everything we can to find children who have gone missing, to reunite them with their loved ones, and to stand beside them and their families as they do the hard work necessary to recover their lives and restore their futures. And we will continue to expand and advance this work together.”
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.
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