CEOS Mission

         The Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) serves a unique and critical function in the enforcement of the nation’s laws protecting children from sexual exploitation.  CEOS leads the Department’s response on the identification and prosecution of child sexual predators; develops and implements innovative enforcement strategies to prevent the victimization of children; identifies and addresses critical policy and legislative concerns; improves the law enforcement response to crimes against children through training and outreach; and works to build capacity to prevent these crimes. CEOS is part of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. Along with the 94 United States Attorney´s Offices around the country, CEOS investigates and prosecutes federal crimes including, among others, (1) the production, distribution, receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material (referred to in federal law as “child pornography”); (2) the online enticement of children for illegal sexual activity; (3) the travel of offenders, or transportation of children by offenders, across state lines for illegal sexual activity; (4) the sex trafficking of children, whether online or on our city streets; and (5) extraterritorial child sexual abuse and exploitation (often misleadingly referred to as “child sex tourism”) by U.S. nationals. CEOS’ work also includes offenses involving international parental kidnapping, child support enforcement, sexual exploitation and abuse of children committed on federal land, and individuals who fail to register as sex offenders pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

         CEOS includes the High Technology Investigative Unit (HTIU), which initiates and performs forensic analysis and provides expert testimony in CEOS’s cases, as well as offers advice and support to cases nationwide. HTIU is designed to provide the most up-to-date expertise on computer forensic matters relating to child sexual exploitation. HTIU’s Digital Investigative Analysts often discover key evidence that leads to the identification and rescue of children being abused, the identification and arrest of online, anonymized offenders, the convictions of dangerous sex offenders, and convictions for more serious offenses.  The HTIU Digital Investigative Analysts assist law enforcement agents and prosecutors in the investigation and prosecution of computer facilitated child exploitation offenses, national operations involving child exploitation over the Internet, and special investigative initiatives.  In addition, HTIU specialists develop and deliver training for law enforcement agencies, research and help develop new investigative tools and techniques, assist in drafting proposed legislation, and testify as experts in federal court.

         CEOS serves as the nation’s leading expert on identifying and prosecuting child sexual predators, particularly those who prey on children in online environments.  In all aspects of work, we seek to blend investigative and prosecutorial experience with policy expertise in order to create innovative solutions to the threats posed by those who violate federal child exploitation and obscenity laws.