Detective to discuss Internet crime

Date: February 21, 2004
Source: The Plain Dealer
By: Robert Bryan

The Internet, without doubt, has opened a whole new world for people to explore. But the exploration carries a caution: Like every other facet of life, sexual predators and other criminals have learned how to use it for their purposes.

For that reason, Heartland Career Center here is sponsoring next week a two-session seminar on “Dangers of the Internet,” presented by Mike Widner, a detective specializing in Internet investigations for the Noblesville Police Department.

Both sessions will be Wednesday at the Wabash Middle School Auditorium — from 1 to 3 p.m., and from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Both sessions are without charge and open to the public. The evening session is aimed primarily at parents and the general public. The afternoon session is designed primarily as an in-service training for teachers, educators and members of law enforcement.

Educators from the following high schools have been invited to attend: North Miami, Peru, Northfield, Southwood, Wabash, Manchester, White’s, Huntington and Oak Hill.

Widner, a 13-year police veteran, has spent the last three years conducting Internet investigations.

Widner wrote of his educational program, “I cover how sexual predators use the Internet and chat rooms to lure our children into a world of sexual and psychological abuse.

“I discuss the tools they use and the tactics they often use on our children. I will show the actual chat logs of cases that I have worked on. I will also talk about personal profiles and why they have the potential to be very dangerous.”

Widner was a military policeman and an officer with the Speedway Police Department before going on the Noblesville department.

He has received training for Internet investigations and computer forensics at the Federal Law Enforcement Academy, U.S. Attorney General’s Office in Indiana, Guidance Software (ENCASE), National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wis., and the College of DuPage in Chicago.

Dan Roland, Heartland's assistant director, said the initial planning had the sessions in the host building, Heartland. But as the subject might draw substantial attendance, it was moved to the Wabash Middle School Auditorium.

Original article

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