JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AWARDS SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS U.S. ATTORNEYS OFFICE FOR WORK COMBATING CHILD EXPLOITATION

(HOUSTON) - Three prosecutors and the Community Relations Coordinator in the Southern District of Texas United States Attorney’s Office have been recognized by Attorney General Eric Holder for their leadership protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation, U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.  

Robert Stabe, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division; Sherri Zack, Assistant U.S. Attorney; Megan Paulson, Assistant U.S. Attorney; and Robert Barnes, Community Relations Coordinator were honored for “Outstanding Community Outreach Efforts,” for the launch of their effort, “Internet Safety—It’s Not Just the Computer Anymore.” The award was present at the 2011 National Strategy Conference on Combating Child Exploitation in San Jose, Calif., and accepted by AUSA Sherri Zack on behalf of all those recognized.

Attorney General Eric Holder has made one of the department’s four key priorities the protection of those most vulnerable – children, the elderly, and victims of hate crimes, human trafficking and exploitation. 

“Through their work in urban, rural and tribal communities – and through cutting-edge online efforts – these individuals are advancing bold, innovative and collaborative solutions to keep our children safe from all forms of exploitation and abuse,” said Attorney General Holder. “By focusing on prevention and intervention, as well as proven enforcement and prosecution strategies, these award recipients are strengthening our ability to protect children in need and at risk, and to bring offenders to justice.”‪

“Congratulations to the team members. Their efforts, and those of all the men and women of the district to keep our children safe, are laudable and should be recognized. Our office will continue to educate the public and to aggressively prosecute those who victimize our children,” said U.S. Attorney Moreno.

Since its launch in January 2010, the program has held discussions on Project Safe Childhood and Internet safety with more than 2,500 educators, parents and students. The program’s continued growth and development includes a total of 12 Assistant U.S. Attorneys making presentations, in both English and Spanish, to teachers, school administrators, parents and youth. 

Focused on protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation, the conference in San Jose is bringing together more than 1,000 investigators, agents and prosecutors from all levels of government to receive state-of-the-art instruction in investigative techniques, court room advocacy, digital forensics, behavioral profiling, victim advocacy and community outreach. 

The conference is sponsored by the department’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program.

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