Arrest in Parker Colorado Evidence of Crackdown on Interstate Federal Sex Offense Prosecution
While it has been rare in the past for the Federal Government to focus on State Sex Offender Cases, a recent decision of federal prosecutors of ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) may illustrate a change in position.
Special ICE Agents arrested Gary Lee Waffle - 68 - for traveling from Washington State to Colorado "to engage in sex" with a child.
This was a Douglas County Colorado Internet "sting" operation in which a Parker Colorado.
Federal Crimes for Sexual Assault
Waffle was charged by Criminal Complaint with (1) Traveling With Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct; (2) Aggravated Sexual Abuse with Children; and (3) Attempted Coercion and Enticement, following his arrest in Parker.
These crimes can result in than 30 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine, or both in connection with each of the first two charges, and not more than life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, or both, on the third charge.
The Parker Police Department is a member of the national ICAC (Internet Crimes Against
Children) Task Force, which currently is funded by a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
The case investigation is part of Operation Predator, which is a nationwide ICE program intended to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers.
Operation Predator was launched in July 2003, and since then ICE agents have arrested more than 12,800 individuals.
