SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Child predators no longer need to be nearby to pose a threat. With just a phone or a laptop, they can target children from anywhere.
In a world where child predators can hide behind screens and fake identities, Wyoming County District Attorney Joe Peters is making one thing clear: State lines won't stop justice.
DA Joe Peters' latest child predator case involves an Ohio man, extradited to Pennsylvania for allegedly grooming a child online in Wyoming County.
"We do go the distance and we will use every strategy and tatic that we can and to send the message to people that not only don't mess with our children in this county physically or being here geographically but even if you're in another state as is the case with the individual that we just arrested," DA Peters said.
With a background in federal law enforcement, Peters has brought homeland security right into his rural office, literally.
"I have a homeland security agent in my office assigned here in this little county so that I can take advantage of every asset available, personnel, equipment, intelligence, other resources of the federal government, at no cost to the citizens of our county and bring those assets here to prevent problems before they start," DA Peters explained.
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As predators use the internet to hide behind fake profiles, Peters says even social media companies can become part of the problem.
"Sometimes social media companies can actually be an obstacle rather than a partner, you know they're in business to make money, privacy on the internet is one of the ways they make money, but when they're using them to commit crimes, particularly against children, if we have to get search warrants, if we have to get court orders, if we have to bring a lawsuit against the social media company to get the information that we need to protect our childre,n we will do that," DA Peters continued.
Peters says no matter how far his office reaches, parents are still the first line of defense
"Being a parent is not about being their friend, they'll have lots of friends, they'll only get two, and oftentimes in today's world, one parent, be their parent. Look at their phones, use those parental protection devices on their phones," DA Peters added.
DA Peters also wants to remind parents that law enforcement is their friend, and if you suspect your child is being groomed online, contact them.
