GBI, FBI tackle cyber-crime

The Federal and Georgia Bureaus of Investigation are taking aim at cyber-crime at a new training center.

Officials say the recently established FBI and GBI facility will be used to investigate child pornography, fraud, identity theft and other computer-related crimes.

GBI Director Vernon Keenan says the training is specialized and the gear is high tech:

"We're talking about equipment that allows the investigator to interface with the service provider; software which allows the investigator to capture electronic images and to download data, so that it is held as evidence and can be presented in court."

The facility is located at FBI headquarters in Atlanta, and has held several training classes since it began operations two months ago. 70 police and sheriff's departments statewide are taking part in the program.

Keenan added that the facility will reduce training costs, since local law-enforcement officials will not have to travel to FBI headquarters in Washington.

The FBI officials say cyber-crime fraud costs the US $4 billion dollars annually.

TV Ad Outs Unregistered Pedophiles

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Screenshot of announcement with number to call. (Courtesy Muscogee County Sheriff's Dept)

A west Georgia Sheriff's Department is calling on the public to report missing sex offenders. And the department is using a tv advertisement to do it.

The 30-second spot shows photos and names of nine sex offenders who haven't registered where they live in Muscogee County.

Major Joe McCrea of the County Sheriff's Office says the response has been exceptional:

"As of today, we should have five of those nine in custody... the one that is scheduled to turn himself in today, has actually called, himself, and is making arrangements to turn himself in -- as a result of this CSA."

The spot began airing just before Thanksgiving.

McCrea says they intend to continue running the community service announcement several more weeks, due to the public response.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of this issue, and here for coverage of the "To Catch a Predator" program.