Maryland man pleads guilty to sex offense involving 14-year-old

...In court Monday, Garrett described a series of events he said would have been established had the case gone to trial.

In July 2019, when Johnson was 22, he began talking online with the girl. The next month, Garrett said, Johnson went to the girl’s apartment for the first time, while her mother wasn’t home, and engaged in sex acts.

Earlier coverage: Johnson indicted on multiple counts in case

Two days later, her father noticed bruises on her neck and asked how she got them, Garrett said. The answer prompted him to call police...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/guilty-plea-sex-offense-marland/2020/12/14/1a2e1508-3e29-11eb-8bc0-ae155bee4aff_story.html

Montgomery County Police, experts report increase in internet crimes against children

 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (WDVM) — Experts and local police departments say criminals looking to exploit children are taking advantage of your kids spending more time on their laptops and cell phones during the pandemic.

“Parents are the ones who are really in the dark about these apps and how these kids can communicate with adults,” said Lt. Gerald McFarland of the Montgomery County Police Department’s Special Victims Investigations Division.

He says SVID is cracking down on cybercriminals, as the department has noticed an increase in the victimization of kids online since the onset of COVID-19...

...MCPD SVID and NCMEC encourage you to report suspicious online activity to your local police department and submit a detailed tip to NCMEC’s CyberTipline.

https://www.localdvm.com/news/maryland/montgomery-county-police-experts-report-increase-in-internet-crimes-against-children/

WBAL: FBI warns of cyber predators accessing children through virtual learning

 MILFORD MILL, Md. —

The Baltimore office of the FBI warns that complaints about cybercrimes against children are up more than 250% in the city alone, and nationwide, they said the numbers are staggering.

"To highlight the amount of complaints that are coming in, we are literally drowning in them," said Matt Vilcek, supervisory special agent for the Violent Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Unit...

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/cyber-predators-virtual-learning-at-home-learning-online-learning/33915367

Calif. special education teacher appears shirtless during virtual class, teen who snapped photos speaks out

https://abc7news.com/shirtless-teacher-san-jose-silver-creek-high-school-distance-learning/6371654/

..."He seemed really awkward and kind of gave me like a weird vibe," Makaylah told ABC7 News. "And when he was using the camera, it was all shaking around and like, moving everywhere."

"I realized he wasn't wearing a shirt," Makaylah told ABC7 News. "And that was kind of awkward, made me feel uncomfortable."

So she called her mother. Elizabeth Avila told Makaylah to take a picture, then immediately log off. She left the class of 10 to 15 other students...

Online Predator Complaints Spike During Pandemic

...“We have to be parents and stronger parents than ever,” Montgomery County Council of PTA’s Safe Technology subcommittee chair Lisa Cline said.

“I urge parents be totally aware of age restrictions on social media,” Cline said. “If you’re under 13, you really can’t be on them for liability purposes. I always advise parents to postpone any purchase of a personal mobile device. No smartphone until eighth grade.”

“Kids have a lot of curiosity,” she said. “If they’re going to the internet for answers, they’ll get some answers that are wrong, terrifying and scarring.”..

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/online-predator-complaints-spike-during-pandemic/2377394/?fbclid=IwAR35ebEdIapg4mgMRSMp3siEgSwGFpwqDK6WAtAUT6hCFJoINHIRATATxVI