SW Virginia News

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention has awarded $550,472 to Bedford County for the maintenance and expansion of the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. These funds will allow the task force to conduct thorough forensic exams, continue on-going partnerships with prosecutors, and increase the number of agencies involved in investigating ICAC-related crimes.

'Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) expressed his support for the funding, stating, "Victimizing our nation’s children is one of the most heinous crimes a person can commit. This funding by the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention is crucial in ensuring the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force can continue its important work of preventing, investigating, and prosecuting Internet crimes against children. I am proud to have been a supporter of the Bedford County Sheriff’s Department’s ICAC program since my days in the state legislature."

With this funding, the Southern Virginia ICAC Task Force will be able to strengthen their efforts in protecting children from online predators. The task force will be able to enhance their forensic capabilities, ensuring thorough examinations of digital evidence. Additionally, the funding will allow for continued collaboration with prosecutors, facilitating effective investigations and successful prosecutions of individuals involved in Internet crimes against children.

The expansion of the task force will also involve the inclusion of more agencies, enabling a broader reach in combating ICAC-related crimes throughout Southern Virginia. By increasing the number of agencies involved, law enforcement will be able to pool their resources and expertise, resulting in a more comprehensive approach to combating online child exploitation.

Internet crimes against children have become a pressing concern in recent years, with the rise of technology and the increasing use of the internet by children and adolescents. The Southern Virginia ICAC Task Force plays a critical role in safeguarding the well-being of young individuals in the region.

For more information on the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, please visit their website here.

For more information on the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention, please visit their website here.