How to keep kids safe from online criminals

ISLE OF WIGHT, Va. — Law enforcement officials in Hampton Roads say more cases of online child predators are coming across their desks, and they are sharing tips for parents to help keep their children safe. 

Investigator Sean Lacy with the Isle of Wight Sheriff’s Office said he has seen an uptick in online crimes against children across Hampton Roads.

Lacy, a K-9 handler, serves on the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Homeland Security Sexual Crimes Task Force. 

“The more cases we have to investigate, hopefully, the more arrests we can make,” said Lacy. “If we can stop the supply of images of victims, then we can help stop the demand.”

On Monday, a Virginia Beach judge sentenced former police officer Kyle LaLonde to 11 years in prison for charges connected to exchanging and sending sexually explicit messages to an undercover FBI agent posing as a 12-year-old girl. 

According to Lacy, better resources and technology are contributing to the increased number of cases investigators receive. For instance, internet service providers have improved their ability to identify and label exploitative material.

Lacy warns online predators may spark a seemingly innocent conversation with children about a video game or television show. 

“But very quickly it can transition into a lot of attention,” he said. “And then it breaks that wall into child exploitative, especially if they have a child who is seeking attention from an adult or seeking attention in general.”

In Isle of Wight County, investigators are catching more criminals posing as someone else to gain a child’s trust. The online predators then get the child to send them explicit material, and later they order to extort the child, said Lacy. 

That’s what investigators alleged Ryan Randolph, of Gloucester County, did. A jury in Utah convicted the 29-year-old man of the sexual exploitation of two minors in the state. 

Lacy said predators are also trying to lure kids with gift cards or digital currency, and they often connect with the child through social media apps. 

He challenges parents to be more involved in their child’s online use. 

“Use your email to set up the account. A lot of times you’ll get notified of the activity or conversations they are having,” he said. “There are apps you can install to help monitor that activity.”

He reminds parents that children often do not understand the long-lasting implications of their actions, and it’s helpful for parents to know what’s going on. 

“I would just say be very involved, be nosey, be a nosey parent when it comes to what your kids are doing on cell phones and computers,” said Lacy. 

There are multiple ways to report suspicious activity, including sending a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.