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Services Investigations
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The Task Force was created in December 1995 for the purpose of conducting complex, multi-jurisdictional investigations that track and interdict the illicit commerce of stolen goods, the investigation and prosecution of suspects engaged in white collar crime, organized crime, and fraud against the government. Investigations are generally categorized as follows:
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Case Highlights Hi-Tech Case Highlight #1; Theft of Trade Secrets The Task Force was contacted by Grass Valley Police Department, California, regarding information they received from the Chief Executive Officer of a local business. The information reported involved a sequence of events involving the disappearance of 10-15 spiral-bound binders containing notes and information kept by the Chief Operations Officer during his three and a half years with the company. The notes reportedly contained information related to the company’s sales, engineering, customers, and patent processes involving the breakdown and recombination of urethane foam. According to the company, the technology was valued at millions of dollars. Investigators learned that the suspect had resigned his position with the company, put his house up for sale, hired a moving company to remove and pack the residence’s contents into overseas cargo containers, and obtained airline tickets for himself and his family for the United Kingdom. Search warrants were obtained and executed at several locations. The evidence seized was examined by the Chief Executive Officer of the company. The Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer declined to proceed with formal prosecution based upon the evidence seized. Hi-Tech Case Highlight #2; Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography Investigators received a NCMEC cybertip regarding suspect(s) involved in the possession and distribution of child pornography. A search warrant was obtained for the suspect(s) and residence located in Sonora, California. The execution of the warrant resulted in evidence seized. Statements obtained under Miranda, from two suspects (a father and son) revealed they were both involved in the possession and distribution of child pornography. The forensic examinations of computers seized are currently being conducted. Preliminary results revealed at least 1,000 images of child pornography. This case is being considered for federal prosecution. Hi-Tech Case Highlight #3; Computer Crime (Hacking) The Task Force was contacted regarding the “hacking” of a local high school’s Student Information System computer database by at least two students. These students attempted to changes grades, and they deleted more than 18,000 school records. The students also caused the “crash” of the student database on at least two incidents. Warrants were obtained for two residences where the students lived and evidence was seized. The investigation is on-going. Hi-Tech Case Highlight #4; Forgery and Attempted Grand Theft The Task Force received information regarding the suspect, an asset recovery agent, who allegedly forged the victim’s $1.3 million State Controller’s warrant. The suspect submitted claims to the State Controller’s Office, Bureau of Unclaimed Property, in the name of the victim for escheated stock proceeds and other monies totaling $1,363,393. The suspect, acting on behalf of the victim as an asset recovery investigator, provided identifying information of the victim such as the victim’s Social Security number and a photocopy of the California driver’s license. The check was sent to a mail drop and later deposited into a financial account. Unknown to the victim, a joint bank account was set up in the victim’s and suspect’s name. The suspect used his computer at home, via the Internet, to set up an on-line account. A search warrant was obtained for the residence and evidence was seized. A forensic examination is currently being conducted. The case is on-going. Hi-Tech Case Highlight #5; Execution of Search Warrants in the City of Fresno, California The Department of Insurance Fraud Division Computer Forensic Team and the Sacramento Valley High-Tech Crimes Task Force executed search warrants at offices belonging to doctors and attorneys. The request for assistance from our task was “the night before”. Given the nature of the warrants and the possible complexities the investigators would encounter with various computer systems, the detectives chosen from the Sacramento and Satellite offices were limited to those with “forensic” training and expertise. The team encountered approximately 52 computers at five different locations. The forensic examinations are currently being conducted on this on-going investigation. Hi-Tech Case Highlight #6; Possession of Child Pornography Detectives conducted an investigation resulting in the arrest of the suspect. The suspect fled the Sacramento area prior to his sentencing. He fled to unknown parts of Mexico and was caught by U.S. Marshals while trying to pick up his last paycheck at a store in Texas. He was extradited back to Sacramento, pled guilty, and is awaiting a five-year sentence in the federal system courtesy of our Assistant U.S. Attorney. Hi-Tech Case Highlight #7; Distribution of Child Pornography Detectives received information from San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department regarding a molestation investigation they were conducting regarding the suspect. Detectives conducted an investigation resulting in the arrest of the suspect. The suspect was employed by the FDIC as a bank examiner at the time the search warrant was served at his residence. This case was taken federally, and the suspect was recently indicted on federal charges due to the detective’s hard work and dedication. The suspect faces up to 20 years and was just offered 10 years by the Assistant U.S. Attorney.
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