One fact is certain: the United States Government monitors internet activity.
Why else would Edward Snowden have to flee to Russia?
The NSA and other Federal Agencies are constantly running sting operations for child porn, purported terrorist cells and money laundering schemes. You are being monitored whether you like it or not and it will probably continue well into the future. This author will discuss some of the ways you can guard against this kind of overzealous government monitoring and spying at another time in a future blog!
Whether an individual is simply “surfing the net”, downloading content through peer-to-peer file-sharing programs, or communicating in a chat-room, law enforcement surveillance should be assumed, and there is no anonymity in an individual’s of his or her computer. Many of this firm’s prostitution cases began with law enforcement surveillance through “RED BOOK” and other adult sites that have been targeted by law enforcement. Human trafficking and Child Porn are the targets of most of these probes so we advise everyone to be aware that what you say and do on the internet can and will come back to bite you.
Based on internet surveillance and monitoring, federal agents investigating internet crimes of all kinds will obtain warrants to seize computers and search surrounding premises for hard drives, discs and other indicia of criminal wrongdoing. Contrary to common belief, deleting a file or content from a computer does not make it disappear. Federal agents investigating internet crimes possess the computer programs, time, and funding to retrieve data thought to be deleted or destroyed.
Computer hacking, fraud, credit card fraud, identity theft, internet extortion, investment fraud, Ponzi/pyramid schemes, investment fraud, lotteries, internet auction fraud, phishing/spoofing (forged electronic documents), cyber-bulling children especially in Schools, revenge porn (posting embarrassing pictures/ videos of individuals without their permission and spam can all result in an investigation and potential prosecution for federal and State internet crimes, or cyber-crimes.
Internet crimes such as acquiring, possessing, and distributing child pornography over the internet often carry mandatory minimum sentences of imprisonment and lifetime sexual registration as a sex offender. It is not uncommon for a curious individual merely looking at images on the internet to find themselves under investigation and indictment for internet child pornography crimes. The potential consequences to freedom and public standing can be disastrous.
Please also be careful when purchasing someone else’s computer which may have had certain images downloaded. We had a client falsely charged in such an instance. Use common sense and safeguard your password and do not leave your computer in a place where others may have unfettered access to it.
Knowledgeable Representation for Internet Crimes Cases
At Fiumara & Milligan Law, PC for many years we have been deeply involved and on the forefront of the many legal issues that can and will arise in the defense of clients charged with a variety of “hacking” and internet crimes. Our attorneys keep abreast withthe latest investigative and technical internet crime developments so that our defense against charges of internet crimes involves cutting edge strategies.
Call us today at 707-571-8600 OR 415-492-4507 for a free case evaluation.
We serve the entire North Bay and invite you to call us at either our Santa Rosa Office at 707-571-8600 or our San Rafael Office at 415-492-4507.
