U.S. Attorney Brady Recognizes the Addition of Resources to the Western Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force

PITTSBURGH, PA – United States Attorney Scott W. Brady commended the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office for devoting five investigators to the Western Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force or VCAC.

In addition to the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCAC is comprised of law enforcement officers from the FBI, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Police, Allegheny County Police and the Indiana County District Attorney’s Offices, and investigates child abductions, trafficking and child sexual exploitation enterprises. The number of new cases opened by the VCAC nearly doubled between fiscal year 2016 and 2017. During that same time period, 81 people were arrested and 24 children were identified and/or recovered.

U.S. Attorney Brady recognized the Pennsylvania Attorney General for the additional support of the VCAC. “This joint, cooperative effort enhances our ability to quickly identify and investigate those individuals who prey on children,” said United States Attorney Scott W. Brady. “The VCAC works closely with the United States Attorney’s Project Safe Childhood Task Force.” The United States Attorney’s Project Safe Childhood Task Force, which uses the weight of the federal justice system against sexual predators, where stronger sentences and harsher penalties exist for sexual predators, is headed by Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan.