Agencies Team Up For Countywide Internet Sex Crime Task Force

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Ohio —Fairfield County law enforcement agencies are teaming up to create a countywide Internet task force designed to protect kids by going after sexual predators.

Police from Lancaster, Baltimore and Pickerington, as well as Fairfield County sheriff’s deputies, will begin going online undercover to catch adults attempting to arrange sex with children.

Former Westerville Police Department Detective Mike Tussey is now Baltimore’s police chief. Tussey headed Westerville’s Internet crimes task force and has been working for two years to bring a similar effort to Fairfield County.

Tussey has been working to educate children and train detectives. He estimates 90 percent of students in local schools have seen his Internet safety presentation.

Lisa DeGeeter, executive director of the Child Advocacy Center of Fairfield County, says in 2008 her agency fielded 30 cases of kids who were either solicited on the Internet for sex or involved in the creation of child pornography.

Tussey says 14 law enforcement officials will take part in the task force as their schedule permits. 

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