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9 Arrested In Child Porn Investigation

Police Find Images, Videos On Suspects' Computers

POSTED: 7:48 pm PST November 25, 2008
UPDATED: 9:30 pm PST November 25, 2008

A child porn operation landed nine people in jail.

Disturbing images and videos were found on the suspects' computers, police said.

9 Arrested On Child Pornography Charges

Weeks of investigation led law enforcement to the doors of nine people they said were advertising, possessing or producing child pornography.

"You can have anywhere from 200 to 1,000 images. It just gets crazy," said Henderson police Lt. Troy Hatch.

Four men in Las Vegas and five in Henderson were arrested. All of them had no prior run-ins with police, except for Michael Ward, a registered sex offender, now charged with several counts.

"The counts include statutory sexual seduction and producing child porn," said Metro police Sgt. Troy Barrett.

Investigators said Ward taped his attacks and would make home movies. At the time of his arrest, a live victim was found inside the home, police said.

Another suspect, Hector Gonzalez, was turned in by his employer.

"He was downloading porn on his work computer," Barrett said.

Police said Thomas Krattenmaker had been advertising child porn online.

Most of the men face more than a dozen counts. Police are staying tight-lipped about the children involved.

“There's a few victims. I don't want to get into anything with the identity of the victims … keep it as generic as I can, so they can try and have somewhat of a normal life," Barrett said.

Investigators said they are continuing to look for more victims in the Valley.

Police said parents play a large role in preventing their kids from falling victim to porn.

The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the team that made the arrests, runs nationwide.


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