Macon Man Receives Life Sentence for Seeking Sex with 7-Year-Old Girl

RUSSELL E. WORSHAM, 44, of Macon, Georgia, was sentenced today by United States District Judge J. Owen Forrester to serve the rest of his life in federal prison on the charge of using the Internet to attempt to entice a child to engage in sexual activity.

"This defendant trolled the Internet searching for child victims," said Sally Quillian Yates, United States Attorney. "His conduct was more than mere words. A brave victim testified during trial that from the time she was 9 until she was 12, this dangerous predator repeatedly sexually assaulted her. On the day of his arrest, the defendant intended to rape a 7-year-old girl. But for the hard work of the investigators, the defendant likely would still be out there, searching for his next victim. Today's sentence serves as a stern warning to those who might follow in this defendant's path. This office will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute those who use the Internet to victimize children."

Brian D. Lamkin, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated, "The FBI has, over the years, dedicated many investigative resources to child exploitation matters such as this through its Innocent Images and Crimes Against Children programs, with the overall goal of protecting young, vulnerable children from those who would exploit them and do them harm. Mr. Worsham is a child predator who will no longer be in a position to harm children and the FBI is proud of the role it played in removing this individual from our streets."

WORSHAM was sentenced to life in prison. WORSHAM was convicted of these charges on September 21, 2010, after a five-day trial.

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges, and other information presented in court: In October 2008, WORSHAM befriended a woman online whom he believed to have a 7-year-old daughter. This woman—actually an undercover FBI task force agent—told WORSHAM that she was willing to make her fictitious daughter available to WORSHAM for sex. Over the next three months, in hours of online chats, over two dozen e-mails, and five telephone calls, WORSHAM engaged in graphic and sexually explicit conversations about his planned rape of the 7-year-old girl. These online communications and telephone conversations culminated in WORSHAM arranging to meet with the mother and her 7-year-old daughter. Agents arrested him when he showed up for the meeting. Agents recovered crayons, a spanking tool, a web camera, a studded dog collar, and virtual child pornography from WORSHAM's van. During trial, a victim testified that when she was between the ages of 9 and 12, WORSHAM had repeatedly sexually assaulted her.

This case was investigated by agents and officers of the Atlanta Safe Child Task Force, which is led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Atlanta Division.

Assistant United States Attorneys Kim S. Dammers and Ryan Scott Ferber prosecuted the case.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney's Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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4.4 Percent of Prison Inmates and 3.1 Percent of Jail Inmates Reported One or More Incidents of Sexual Victimization During 2008-2009

/PRNewswire/ -- An estimated 88,500 inmates--64,500 in prison and 24,000 in jails--reported experiencing one or more incidents of sexual victimization by another inmate or facility staff during 2008-09, the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) in the Office of Justice Programs announced today. The findings are based on a survey of prison and jail inmates about incidents occurring in the last 12 months or since their admission to the facility, if less than 12 months.

To meet requirements of the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003, BJS surveyed more than 81,500 inmates held in 167 state and federal prisons, 286 jails, and 10 special confinement facilities between October 2008 and December 2009. About 4.4 percent of prison inmates and 3.1 percent of jail inmates reported sexual victimization by another inmate or facility staff. Nationwide, 2.1 percent of all prison inmates and 1.5 percent of all jail inmates reported at least one incident involving another inmate; 2.8 percent of prison inmates and 2.0 percent of jail inmates reported having had sex or sexual contact with facility staff.

Among the 463 facilities in the survey, eight male prisons, two female prisons, and six jails were identified as "high rate" facilities based on the prevalence of inmate-on-inmate sexual victimization. Four male prisons, two female prisons, and five jails were identified as "high rate" based on the prevalence rate of staff sexual misconduct.

Among all prison inmates, the reported use or threat of physical force to engage in sexual activity was generally low. An estimated 1.3 percent of prison inmates reported the use or threat of force during inmate-on-inmate victimization and 1.0 percent during staff sexual misconduct. Among all jail inmates,

1.0 percent reported the use or threat of force during inmate-on-inmate victimization and staff sexual misconduct.

Female prisoners (4.7 percent) were more than twice as likely as male prisoners (1.9 percent) to report experiencing sexual victimization by another prisoner. Jail inmates reported a similar pattern of inmate- on-inmate sexual victimization (3.1 percent for females compared to 1.3 percent for males).

Sexual activity with staff was somewhat more prevalent among incarcerated males. An estimated 2.9 percent of male prisoners and 2.1 percent of male jail inmates reported at least one incident with staff, compared to 2.1 percent of female prisoners and 1.5 percent of female jail inmates.

Among male inmates who reported staff sexual misconduct in prison and jail, about two-thirds reported sexual activity with female staff.

White or multi-racial inmates reported higher rates of inmate-on-inmate sexual victimization in prisons and jails than black inmates. Higher rates were also reported among inmates who had a college degree or more compared to those who had not completed high school, who had a sexual orientation other than heterosexual compared to heterosexuals, and who had experienced a sexual victimization before coming to the facility compared to those who had not.

Rates of reported staff sexual misconduct were higher among black inmates compared to white inmates and higher for inmates ages 20 to 24 compared to those age 25 or older. Also, rates of staff sexual misconduct were higher among inmates with a college degree or more compared to those who had not completed high school, and among inmates who had experienced a sexual victimization before coming to the facility compared to those who had not.

About half of the inmates who reported inmate-on-inmate sexual victimizations reported at least one incident of nonconsensual sex, defined as unwanted oral, anal, or vaginal sex, or manual stimulation. Over half of the inmates who reported staff sexual misconduct said that the sexual contact or activity was willing.

Among victims of inmate-on-inmate sexual victimization, 37 percent of males in jail and 21 percent of males in prison reported being injured. Among females, eight percent in jail and 17 percent in prison reported being injured. For victims of staff sexual misconduct, 17 percent of males in jail and nine percent of males in prison reported they had been injured, compared to eight percent of females in jail and 19 percent of females in prison. The most common injuries were bruises, scratches and cuts.

The report, Sexual Victimization in Prisons and Jails Reported by Inmates, 2008-09 (NCJ 231169), was written by BJS statisticians Allen J. Beck and Paige M. Harrison and RTI International staff Marcus Berzofsky, Rachel Caspar, and Christopher Krebs. Following publication, the report can be found at http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/.

Georgia Power Asks Residents To Be Alert for Fraud Artists

/PRNewswire/ -- Several metro Atlanta residents have recently been victimized by a female imposter who claims to be a Georgia Power employee.

The individual contacts Georgia Power customers by phone, informing victims that their electric bill is past due and that an urgent credit card payment is needed to avoid loss of service within 24 hours.

If the scam artist receives credit card numbers from the Georgia Power customer, she then wires money from their credit card account to different locations or uses the number to make fraudulent purchases.

At least five to six area residents have been victimized since early March. The method of this scam is very similar to a scheme used in 2006 and may involve the same individuals.

Georgia Power employees will never call a customer at home seeking personal information. When a customer is past due on a bill, a recorded message is sent to the customer's home phone encouraging them to contact Georgia Power to discuss the status of their account.

Field-service representatives will never ask a customer for money when they visit a residence. All Georgia Power company representatives carry badges with picture identification, their name and the company's name and logo. To view official company uniforms go to www.georgiapower.com.

Georgia Power's Corporate Security department is working with local law enforcement agencies throughout the state to identify the perpetrators. If anyone has been victimized by this scheme, or has any information about suspects, they are asked to contact Georgia Power's Corporate Security department at 404-506-4116.

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DHR Warns Georgia's Seniors to Watch Out for Two Scams

As the economy continues to decline and more people struggle financially, scams are on the rise again – including the resurfacing of the “Grandma Scam.” The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) wants older adults across the state to be aware, as many scam artists often target seniors. Scam artists will either rely on an old scam with a new twist or create a new scam in order to steal money from those who have worked and saved over the years. Older adults may fall victim to scams because they are home during the day to answer the phone or the door – two primary means of entry for scam artists.

States such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Virginia have witnessed firsthand the re-emergence of the Grandma Scam. A scam artist usually telephones and begins the conversation by saying, “Hi, Grandma, it’s me, your favorite grandchild.” The unsuspecting grandparent will usually respond with a grandchild’s name (i.e., “Johnny…?”). With this information, the caller pretends to be “Johnny” and makes a pitch about being in trouble and in need of money. These scam stories include being in an automobile accident in a rental car, in the hospital or being under arrest and in need of bail money. The imposter grandchild often pleas for the grandparent not to call their parents and promises to pay them back in a few days. Anyone receiving a call like this or with any similarities should hang up.

DHR advises older adults to take steps to verify that the person is who they say they are. Individuals should ask them for information only the grandchild would know or call other family members and confirm the whereabouts of your grandchild.

Another phone scam was recently attempted in Bibb County. A person calls identifying themselves as part of your credit card company fraud department. The caller usually states that they are verifying your account or they have noted some unusual charges on your account and need to verify that you have your card. Then they ask you to read off your credit card number and expiration date. The caller is NOT from the credit card company; they are trying to gain access to your accounts so they can make fraudulent purchases. Never give out account information over the phone unless you initiated the call and you know you are talking to the credit card company directly.

To protect your loved ones, educate your family and friends about these scams. Be wary anytime a request is made by someone who calls you and asks for you to wire them money; it’s a red flag. Wire transfers are hard to trace, so most scams involve money that is wire transferred. If you encounter this scam and want to report the incident, call your local law enforcement agency or contact the Division of Aging Services (DAS) at 1-800-669-8387.

DAS is also offering presentations around the state on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud and scams. To schedule a free presentation in your area, call 404-657-9589.

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3.4 Million People Report Being Stalked in the United States

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An estimated 3.4 million persons identified themselves as victims of stalking during a 12-month period in 2005 and 2006, the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) announced today. About half of these victims experienced at least one unwanted contact per week from the offender and 11 percent had been stalked for five or more years.

Stalking is defined as a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. Individuals must have feared for their safety or that of a family member as a result of the course of conduct, or have experienced additional threatening behaviors. Individuals were classified as stalking victims if they responded that they experienced at least one of seven types of stalking behaviors on two or more separate occasions.

The most common types of stalking behavior reported by victims were receiving unwanted phone calls from the offender (66 percent), receiving unsolicited letters or email (31 percent), or having rumors spread about them (36 percent). Nearly a third of victims reported that offenders were equally likely to show up at places with no reason to be there or wait for the victim at a particular location.

Technology has become a quick and easy way for stalkers to monitor and harass their victims. More than one in four stalking victims reported that some form of cyberstalking was used, such as email (83 percent of all cyberstalking victims) or instant messaging (35 percent). Electronic monitoring of some kind was used to stalk one in 13 victims. Video or digital cameras were equally likely as listening devices or bugs to be used to track victims.

Nearly 75 percent of victims knew their offender in some capacity, and about one-tenth of all victims were stalked by a stranger. Stalking victims most often identified the stalker as a former intimate (22 percent) or a friend, roommate, or neighbor (16 percent).

Depending upon the severity of the stalking, victims suffered a range of emotions as they experienced stalking. The most common fears cited by victims were not knowing what would happen next (46 percent) and being afraid the behavior would never stop (29 percent). Nine percent of stalking victims reported that their worst fear was death.

About 130,000 victims reported that they had been fired or asked to leave their job because of the stalking. About one in eight of all employed stalking victims lost time from work because of fear for their safety or to pursue activities such as getting a restraining order or testifying in court. More than half of these victims lost five days or more from work.

This report is based on the largest data collection of stalking behavior to date. Data were collected by the Supplemental Victimization Survey (SVS), a supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey, and was sponsored by the Office on Violence Against Women. The SVS data collection was conducted over a six-month period in 2006. All survey respondents age 18 or older were eligible for the supplement.

The report, Stalking Victimization in the United States (NCJ 224527), was written by BJS statisticians Katrina Baum, Shannan Catalano, Michael Rand, and Kristina Rose of the National Institute of Justice. Following publication, the report can be found at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/svus.htm.

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FBI Announces Results of Three-Day Child Sex Trafficking Sweep

Today the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children announced the conclusion of a three-day law enforcement action—Operation Cross Country II—aimed at combating sex trafficking of children. A similar enforcement action took place in June of this year as part of Operation Cross Country. Information obtained from the June enforcement action led FBI special agents and task force officers to identify other underage victims of sex trafficking. Both enforcement actions are aimed at disrupting the cycle of victimization of children involved in prostitution by getting them off the streets and at developing sufficient evidence to bring serious federal charges against the pimps who are profiting from the sale of children in this way.

Last week, the FBI joined with more than 92 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in Operation Cross Country II across 29 cities. This effort led to 642 arrests and most importantly, the removal of 47 children from the cycle of victimization.

“Sex trafficking of children is one of the most violent and unconscionable crimes committed in this country,” said FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole. “For that reason, we are committed to working with our partners to bring those who exploit children to justice. There are few law enforcement missions more important than protecting our nation’s children.”

“The FBI's leadership in attacking the problem of domestic trafficking of children is unprecedented and historic. These kids are victims being used as commodities for sale or trade. The unique partnership between the FBI, the Justice Department, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is saving lives and bringing organized criminals to justice,” said Ernie Allen, President and CEO of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

In June 2003, the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division Crimes Against Children Unit, in close cooperation with the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitations-Obscenity Section (CEOS) and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), formed the Innocence Lost National Initiative to address criminal enterprises involved in the domestic sex trafficking of children. This program brings state and federal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and social service providers from around the country to NCMEC, where the groups are trained together. In addition, CEOS has reinforced the training by assigning prosecutors to help bring cases in those cities plagued by child prostitution. Our alliance is proving to be a success. To date, the work of our 28 Innocence Lost task forces and working groups around the country have resulted in 265 indictments, 365 convictions on a combination of state and federal charges, 46 criminal enterprises disrupted and 36 successfully dismantled. Most importantly, our efforts have led to the recovery of 575 child victims.

The FBI extends its sincere appreciation to our partners who participated in Operation Cross Country II and ongoing enforcement efforts:

Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Alexandria Police Department, Anchorage Police Department, Ann Arundel County Police Department, Arlington Heights Police Department, Atlanta Police Department, Atlantic City Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Boston Police Department, California Department of Justice, Campbell Police Department, Chelsea Police Department, Chicago Police Department, City of Miami Police Department, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, College Park Police Department, Concord Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Costa Mesa Police Department, Dallas Police Department, DC Metropolitan Police Department, Delaware State Police, Denver Police Department, Detroit Police Department, Dublin Police Department, Edmond Police Department, Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Elk Grove Police Department, Fulton County Police Department, Glenview Police Department, Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, Grays Lake Police Department, Gurnee Police Department, Gwinnett County Police Department, Hapeville Police Department, Harris Country Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Honolulu Police Department, Houston Police Department, Howard County Police Department, Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement, Indianapolis Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Police Department, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Livermore Police Department, Louisiana State Police, Madison Heights Police Department, Maryland State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Miami Beach Police Department, Miami Dade Police Department, Michigan State Police, Midwest City Police Department, Milpitas Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department, Moreno Valley Police Department, Morgan Hill Police Department, Mundelein Police Department, Nevada Attorney General’s Office, New Jersey State Police, Norman Police Department, Oakland Police Department, Office of Inspector General - Social Security Administration, Oklahoma City Police Department, Ontario Police Department, Phoenix Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Pomona Police Department, Prince William County Police Department, Reno Police Department, Riverside Police Department, Rolling Meadows Police Department, Rowan University Police Department, Sacramento Police Department, San Bernardino Police Department, San Diego Police Department, San Francisco Police Department, San Jose Police Department, San Mateo Police Department, San Rafael Police Department, Santa Rosa Police Department, Shreveport, Police Department, Southfield Police Department, Sparks Police Department, Tacoma Police Department, Tampa Police Department, Toledo Police Department, University of Nevada at Reno Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne County Sheriff's Office, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The charges announced today are merely accusations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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