Tag: Internet

bookmark_borderInternet Security and Your Children

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HARRISBURG, PA — Agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit have arrested a Lancaster County man accused of sending nude and sexually explicit webcam videos to what he believed was a 14-year old girl.

Kelly identified the defendant as Jeffrey Lee Mentzer, 46, of 146 East Franklin St., New Holland.

According to the criminal complaint, Mentzer used an Internet chat room to approach an undercover agent from the Child Predator Unit, who was using the online profile of a 14-year old girl.

Kelly said that during their initial online chat, Mentzer allegedly asked the girl to send a nude photo herself, commenting, “when I was with AOL I had a lot of girls your age send me nude pics.”  Mentzer also allegedly sent a digital photograph of himself and later transmitted a webcam video that showed him engaging in a sex act in front of his computer.

During later online chats Mentzer allegedly sent a second sexually explicit webcam video, repeated his request for nude photos of the “girl” and discussed meeting her for sex.

“Internet predators will often send sexual materials during their first online contact with children,” Kelly said. “It is essential for parents to regularly discuss online safety issues with their teens and to stress the importance of immediately reporting any inappropriate contact.”

Mentzer is charged with two counts of unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene and other sexual materials and performances) and one count of criminal use of a communications facility, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Kelly said that Mentzer was located in Vendergrift, Westmoreland County, on June 8, 2012, by agents from the Child Predator Unit, assisted by officers from the Vandergrift Police Department.

Mentzer was initially held in Westmoreland County on a parole detainer, awaiting county extradition and transportation back to Lancaster County to face these criminal charges. He is currently being held in the Lancaster County Prison awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 28th, at 3:15 p.m., before New Holland Magisterial District Judge Rodney H. Hartman.

The case will be prosecuted in Lancaster County by Deputy Attorney General Christopher J. Jones of the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit.

Attorney General Kelly thanked the police departments from New Holland, Lancaster County, and Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, for their cooperation and assistance with this investigation.

Internet Safety

Kelly explained that the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit has made 305 arrests involving individuals from across Pennsylvania and numerous other states – conducting proactive investigations and also assisting local law enforcement with cases involving the attempted sexual exploitation of children.

Kelly encouraged parents to stress the importance of not sharing personal information with adults – either online or in person – including full names, ages, addresses, phone numbers and school information, and added that children should always be especially cautious about strangers who approach them online.

Additionally, Kelly urged parents to regularly discuss Internet safety and security issues with their children, including the importance of telling a trusted adult if someone engages in inappropriate activity, such as:

  • Sexual discussions.
  • Sending or requesting nude photos or explicit videos.
  • Sharing links to pornography.
  • Trying to arrange face-to-face meetings.

Incidents involving child predators can be reported to the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit by using the “Report a Predator” link, located on the front page of the Attorney General’s website, at www.attorneygeneral.gov, or by calling the toll-free Child Predator Hotline at 800-385-1044.
(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty)

bookmark_borderPhiladelphia Open Data Policy

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Mayor Michael A. Nutter signed an executive order to establish an Open Data policy, which will provide increased access and will enhance the transparency of City data sets. The Executive Order creates a Chief Data Officer (CDO) position, which will oversee and enforce the Open Data Policy and will report to the Chief Information Officer (CIO). The policy provides for the City to publish data online and expands opportunities for the public to participate in the City agency decision-making process by creating the Open Government Portal, which will house departments’ open data catalogue as well as a mechanism for public to offer feedback and assessments of the data sets.

“Transparency is a cornerstone of good governance, and it is vital for the City to be open and available to our citizens,” said Mayor Nutter. “Philadelphia was recently named at the seventh most social media savvy city in the nation. The Open Data policy furthers many of the policies and initiatives already put in place by the City.”

The executive order establishes the Open Data Working Group, which will focus on enhancing internal transparency, accountability, participation and collaboration through the Open Data policy and will develop the Open Government Portal—the City’s forum for public feedback. Following the establishment of the policy and assumption of duties by the CDO, the Mayor will appoint a Data Governance Advisory Board—consisting of nine members—who will oversee the ongoing implementation of the Open Data policy.
“The Open Data Policy puts in place the necessary framework, structure and governance that will increase collaboration among City departments and bring citizens closer to their government,” said Chief Innovation Officer Adel Ebeid. “This policy is the first installment in Mayor Nutter’s vision for Philadelphia to become a model for increasing transparency and removing barriers to information sharing and collaboration.”

The City of Philadelphia has been implementing new digital access programming to increase transparency and provide citizens with greater opportunities to be civically engaged. Mayor Nutter added, “Change By Us Philly facilitates the sharing of ideas and projects among the City and citizens. Digital On-Ramps will provide Philadelphians access to anytime, anywhere learning. Freedom Rings Partnerships KEYSPOTS creates computer centers in neighborhoods throughout the city. My Administration is working hard to bridge the digital divide and to be completely accessible to citizens whether in person, on the phone, or on the internet.”

Also adopted in this Executive Order is the City’s internal social media policy, which outlines the acceptable use of social media by City employees overseen by the CIO and Mayor’s Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships.
Executive Order 1-12