Category: Security News

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

National Missing Children’s Day was designated as May 25th by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, after the disappearance of Etan Patz six years earlier. At the time, cases of missing children rarely garnered national media attention, but his case quickly received extensive coverage. His father, a professional photographer, distributed black-and-white photographs of him in an effort to find him. The resulting massive search and media attention that followed focused the public’s attention on the problem of child abduction and the lack of plans to address it.

The FBI was given jurisdiction under the “Lindbergh Law” in 1932 to immediately investigate any reported mysterious disappearance or kidnapping involving a child of “tender age”—usually 12 or younger. However, the FBI goes one step further, any child missing under the age of 18 the FBI can become involved as an assisting agency to the local police department. There does not have to be a ransom demand, the child does NOT have to cross the state lines or be missing for 24 hours. Research indicates the quicker the reporting of the mysterious disappearance or abduction the more likely the successful outcome in returning the child unharmed.

Eric B. Smith, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Division, announces the FBI’s continued support of National Missing Children’s Day. Smith states, “National Missing Children’s Day is a reminder to talk to your children about safety, in the community and online. It is a great time for parents/guardians to discuss with their children tips to stay safe, such as: who is safe to talk to online and in person; who is safe to get in a car with; what personal information should not be provided to others; why it is imperative that a parent or guardian always know a child’s location and who they are with; additional tips are available online at www.fbi.gov. The FBI will devote all necessary resources in order to bring a missing child home.”

“Members of Law Enforcement remind the community of the importance of staying engaged and connected to issues and incidents involving missing children. Ending Human Trafficking remains one of the highest priorities for investigators throughout the country,” said Cleveland Police Chief Calvin D. Williams. “Here in the city of Cleveland, we keep the families and the victims in our hearts as we remain dedicated to reuniting the missing with their loved ones.”

The National Child Identification Program is a community service initiative dedicated to changing statistics by providing parents and guardians with a tool they can use to help protect their children. The ID Kit allows parents to collect specific information by easily recording the physical characteristics and fingerprints of their children on identification cards that are then kept by the parent or guardian. If ever needed, this ID Kit will give law enforcement vital information to assist their efforts to locate a missing child. Kits are available to order from the National Child ID Program, to download from Google Play on Android phones and on iPhones.

According to a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Internet safety pamphlet, a survey of 12 to 17 year olds revealed that 38% had posted self-created content such as photos, videos, etc. on line. Another survey of 10 to 17 year olds revealed 46% admit to having given out their personal information to someone they did not know. The likelihood that kids will give out personal information over the Internet increased with age.

Law enforcement reminds parents to be aware and involved, a few tips include:

• Monitor your child’s use of the Internet, keep your computer in an open, common area of the house.
• Tell your kids why it is important not to disclose personal information online.
• Check your kids’ profiles and what they post online.
• Explain to kids that once images are posted online they can lose control of them and can never get them back.
• Remind kids to only add people they know in real life to their contact lists.
• Ask your kids about the people they are communicating with online.

Additional tips for keeping children safe are listed on www.fbi.gov and www.missingkids.com. Teaching our children to avoid strangers is not enough!

According to FBI reports, 365,348 NCIC entries were made in 2020 for missing children. According to NCMEC, 21.7+ million tips were received regarding missing and exploited children in 2020.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that approximately 91% of missing children are endangered runaways, 5% are family abductions, 1% are lost or injured, 1% are nonfamily abductions and 3% are critically missing young adults between the ages of 18 to 20. Of the nearly 26,500 runaways reported to NCMEC in 2018, one in six were likely victims of child sex trafficking.

To date, the AMBER alert program has been credited with the safe recovery of 1,064 children. Each state, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have an AMBER alert plan.

The FBI, along with various law enforcement and community partners will be raising awareness about efforts to keep children safe at Steelyard Commons on Tuesday, May 25th from 11 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The media and community are invited to join us.

The FBI is fully committed to support our local law enforcement partners investigating missing and endangered children.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The Cleveland Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cleveland Division of Police, the East Cleveland Police Department, Willoughby Police Department, Brooklyn Police Department, South Euclid Police Department, Euclid Police Department, and Cleveland Heights Police Department are seeking assistance in identifying four individuals believed to be involved with nine known carjackings in the Northern Ohio area.

The following carjackings have been reported to law enforcement:

4/28/2021 at approximately 3:00 p.m. in Cleveland’s First District, in the area of West 117 and Bellaire.

5/12/2021 at approximately 11:30 a.m. an aggravated robbery of a vehicle in East Cleveland. A 2013 Honda Civic was stolen.

5/13/2021 at approximately 1:45 a.m., an aggravated robbery in Cleveland’s First District in the area of Triskett and West 127th. The suspect pointed a gun in the victim’s face and demanded the vehicle, a black 2020 Toyota was stolen.

5/14/2021 at approximately 12:10 a.m. in Willoughby a vehicle from the previous aggravated robbery was utilized in this aggravated robbery. The victim’s vehicle was bumped from behind, when the victim exited her vehicle to check for damage the suspect(s) pointed a gun in her face while another suspect placed the victim in a “bear hug”, all four suspects were verbally demanding, “we want everything”. A 2017 Toyota Rav4 and its contents were stolen.

5/14/2021 at approximately 11:33 a.m. suspects approached two women entering their vehicle after shopping in Brooklyn. The suspects grabbed one woman by the hair and threw her to the ground, a gun was observed by the victim. A white Dodge Durango was stolen.

5/14/2021 between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m., a victim’s vehicle was stolen in Euclid. A handgun and a long gun were inside the vehicle and have not been recovered. A Hyundai Sonata with Alabama license plates was stolen.

5/15/2021 between 2:20 a.m. and 2:30 a.m., a vehicle was stolen in Euclid. The victim resisted the suspect’s demands for the vehicle and the victim was shot in the leg. The victim remains in critical condition at this time.

5/15/2021 at approximately 2:37 a.m., a vehicle was stolen in Cleveland Heights. During the theft of the vehicle and an off-duty police officer was shot at by the suspects. The off-duty police officer did not suffer any physical injuries.

5/16/2021 at approximately 2:25 a.m. an attempted carjacking was reported in Willoughby in the back of a hotel parking lot. Witnesses report gunshots were heard. Four black males and one black female with long blonde and brown dreadlocks were observed. All five individuals were seen fleeing the area in a gray sedan.

At this time, four of the stolen vehicles have been recovered in East Cleveland.

These four individuals appear to use a previously stolen vehicle to conduct each subsequent carjacking. Victims have been assaulted by being thrown to the ground, guns pointed in their face and one victim has been shot. These unidentified four individuals are considered armed and dangerous.

The four unknown suspects are described as:

• All four black males in their late teens/early 20’s in age
• One approximately 6’2” with ear length twists or dread style hair
• One individual with a skinny build, approximately 5’8” with a short, fade hairstyle.

Surveillance photos have been obtained of the suspects inside a local convenient mart and are attached to this press release. Individuals are asked to review these photos. If anyone knows the identity of any of these four suspects, contact law enforcement immediately. The FBI can be contacted at 1-877-FBI-OHIO. Tips can remain anonymous. Reward money is available for information leading to the successful identification and prosecution of the individuals responsible.

For questions regarding this press release, please contact SA Vicki Anderson at 216-522-1400 or at vagregg@fbi.gov.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Canton Resident Agency’s Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Northern District of Ohio United States Attorney’s Office, announce the arrest of Brenton “Brent” Cronebach, Jr., age 55, of Dover, Ohio.

The complaint alleges a tip was received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children from Google. Google indicated that files depicting child pornography had been shared and downloaded by a cell phone and email address associated with the name “Brent Cronebach”. An investigation was initiated by the FBI’s Canton Resident Agency Crimes Against Children Task Force.

On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, a search warrant was executed at Cronebach’s residence located in Dover, Ohio. Cronebach acknowledged that he downloaded thousands of images depicting child pornography and those items were stored on flash drives. The flash drives were seized by investigators. An arrest warrant was obtained for Cronebach and he was taken into custody without incident at the conclusion of the search warrant.

Brenton Cronebach, Jr. has been federally charged with possession and transportation of child pornography. Cronebach appeared in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Burke yesterday. Cronebach remains in federal custody and will have a federal preliminary detention hearing on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.

Law enforcement is encouraging anyone that has a child that has interacted with Brenton “Brent” Cronebach, Jr. and they feel any of those interactions could have been sexually inappropriate or was an attempt to “groom” a minor for future sexual interactions to please contact the FBI at 1-877-FBI-OHIO. (1-877-324-6446).

Law enforcement considers this an ongoing investigation and information outside of the federal complaint affidavit cannot be provided.

Any questions regarding this press release can be directed to SA Vicki Anderson at 216-522-1400 or at vagregg@fbi.gov.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The FBI Charlotte Division is offering a reward of up to $10,000 to help solve the death of a transgender woman in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The case is being investigated jointly with the Jacksonville Police Department as a homicide and potential hate crime. The Jacksonville Police Department and Crime Stoppers are offering an additional reward of up to $5,000.

Jenna’s body was found on February 24, 2021, near Ellis Boulevard and White Street. City workers were clearing the ditch area when they saw a body next to a creek. Whoever is responsible is likely familiar with the area where her body was discovered. Investigators are asking the public for information to determine what happened to her and to arrest the person(s) responsible.

“Jenna was a beloved member of the LGBTQ+ community and her absence has been felt by her friends and family members. We do not believe this was a random act. There is a strong possibility the person who did this, continues to work and/or live in the community. We believe someone has information to help us get justice for Jenna and her family,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert R. Wells.

If you have information regarding Jenna’s death, call FBI Charlotte at 704-672-6100 or Jacksonville Police Department Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273. You can remain anonymous.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

Hate crimes are the highest priority of the FBI’s civil rights program because of the devastating impact they have on families and communities. The Bureau investigates hundreds of these cases every year, and we work to detect and prevent incidents through law enforcement training, public outreach, and partnerships with community groups. As part of its responsibility to uphold the civil rights of the American people, the FBI takes a number of steps to combat the problem of hate crimes. 

A hate crime is a traditional offense like murder, arson, or vandalism with an added element of bias. For the purposes of collecting statistics, the FBI has defined a hate crime as a “criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.” Hate itself is not a crime—and the FBI is mindful of protecting freedom of speech and other civil liberties.

Traditionally, FBI investigations of hate crimes were limited to crimes in which the perpetrators acted based on a bias against the victim’s race, color, religion, or national origin. In addition, investigations were restricted to those wherein the victim was engaged in a federally protected activity. With the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, the Bureau became authorized to also investigate crimes committed against those based on biases of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or gender.