Action News Jax Investigates: Key in preventing child sex abuse, online exploitation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The largest sextortion case in U.S. history had more than 300 victims, and the man behind it was caught in the area.

Lucas Michael Chansler, of St. Johns County, was sentenced to 105 years in prison for producing child pornography.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations said Chansler used social networking sites to target and threaten girls between 13 and 18 years old.

Investigators found 80,000 pictures and videos on his computer with hundreds of victims that still have not been identified. Ashley Reynolds was one of the 350 victims.

“He kept harassing me, and it wouldn’t stop, and he got into my head,” said Reynolds.

As a child, Connie Rose was sexually abused by her own father. Rose says he also took pornographic images of her and forced her into prostitution. Now, through her work with the organization Selah Freedom, she helps other survivors reclaim their lives and works to educate children about the dangers.

“We sit down, and we talk about sexting and social media and how it plays such an incredible role in the world,” Rose said. “Right, because it is their world and they’re like, ‘What’s wrong with it?’”

“A big issue is sexting, which is absolutely terrible,” said Homeland Security Investigations Assistant Special Agent in Charge Stephen Kleppe.

Agents with HSI have an arsenal of tools to stop predators as well as to identify and rescue victims of child sex abuse and online exploitation.  But, they say prevention begins at home.

“Some of this it really is on the parents,” said Kleppe. “You need to communicate. Your child needs to let you know, or you should have that ability where your child lets you know if they feel uncomfortable. You know when someone’s crossed a boundary, be it physical or emotional.”

“Let your children know that I’m a parent first, so I might react to something, but come to me, like, there’s really no secrets between us,” Rose said. “Come to me, and talk to me about things that are going on in your life, and together, we’ll figure it out.”

For more information and resources on how to help your children be smart and stay safe online go to https://www.ice.gov/cyber-crimes/iguardian

To learn more about Selah Freedom, click http://www.selahfreedom.com/

Cox Media Group