Operation Angel Watch

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Operation Angel Watch is an intelligence-driven program targeting American registered sex offenders traveling abroad who the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement department (ICE) believes are likely to engage in child sex tourism. By evaluating patterns and trends, ICE identifies high risk countries to compare with the travel plans of persons included in sex offender registry. Since the inception Operation Angel Watch, nearly 300 suspected CST perpetrators have been identified. [1] [2] In 2007, Angel Watch sent 1,700 leads to 100 countries. [3]

Contents

The 2014 bill to establish the Angel Watch Center was described as an "International Megan's Law". A 2010 Government Accountability Office report had found that at least 4,500 U.S. passports were issued to registered sex offenders in fiscal year 2008. Congressman Chris Smith noted, "The goal is reciprocal notice between countries." [4]

Participating Countries

Incidents

In 2007, Howard Cotterman's computer was subjected to a forensic evaluation after his name came up as flagged by TECS pursuant to Operation Angel Watch.

Statistics

In fiscal year 2014, ICE provided notice of travel from the U.S. of approximately 2,300 convicted child sex offenders to over 120 countries. [5]

See also

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References

  1. "Text of H.R. 6266 (111th): Sex Offender Notification of International Travel Act (Introduced version) - GovTrack.us". govtrack.us. Retrieved 2015-02-11.
  2. "Written testimony of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director for a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security hearing on ICE's Fiscal Year 2013 budget request | Homeland Security". dhs.gov. Retrieved 2015-02-11.
  3. "Project Vote Smart - The Voter's Self Defense System". votesmart.org. Retrieved 2015-02-11.
  4. "NJ Congressman's anti-child sex tourism bill clears U.S. House | NJ.com". nj.com. Retrieved 2015-02-11.
  5. 1 2 "ICE, UK National Crime Agency enhance joint efforts to combat child exploitation". U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Newsroom. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2024.