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May 19, 2021Phoenix, AZ, United StatesChild Exploitation

Phoenix HSI agents arrest alleged sexual predator

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Special agents from the Phoenix office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from the Mesa Police Department (MPD) arrested an alleged child sexual predator on May 13. The defendant faces multiple counts of state child sexual exploitation.

Justin Hansing, 36, of Mesa, was arrested by HSI special agents and MPD officers, May 13 based on a referral from the HSI Pretoria office who detected explicit sexual conversations traced to Hansing’s residence. HSI special agents quickly determined the location and executed a state search warrant. Based on the interview and images of sexual assault of a minor found on his electronic devices, Hansing was arrested. At the time of the arrest, Hansing admitted to the possession of numerous images of child sexual abuse material.

“HSI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners at the local level to strengthen our resources to getting alleged predators out of our communities,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix. “By working together, we quickly identified and arrested an individual whose perverse behavior will be dealt with in court.”

A forensic review of his cellular telephone revealed sexually abusive material of children under the age of 10.

This case is being prosecuted by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

Like all defendants, those accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423 or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. 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.

HSI is a directorate and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 Special Agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

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