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The arrest Thursday of a Fallon man accused of possessing child pornography is connected to a major international child pornography production and distribution ring based in Florida.
James Arthur Collins, 65, is accused of trying to order child pornography from a defunct Miami company that dealt in widespread sale and production of child pornography. U.S. Postal inspectors conducted a sting operation dubbed "Operation Lost Innocence" using customer lists after suspected ringleader Angel Mariscal, 45, was arrested in September 2002.
"The investigation revealed a horrifying case of sexual abuse, rape and commercial exploitation of more than 150 child victims, unraveling an international child pornography ring of staggering proportions," a statement from the postal inspection service states.
The agency says children used in the production of pornography range in age from 6-14, and most lived in Cuba and Ecuador. It claims Mariscal personally abused the children, and filmed the abuse. He offered a 30-minute video using a customer's script that would be filmed and sold for $975, authorities said.
Postal Inspector Brook Fuller, who investigated the Fallon case, said Mariscal tested positive for HIV after his arrest. Some of the children who were abused have been tested for the disease.
His arrest led to the arrest of 45 child pornographers and child molesters in 35 states, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Ecuador, inspectors report. More than 100 searches have been conducted throughout the United States in connection with the two-year investigation.
The agency says 40 U.S. citizens, including police officers, school teachers, fire department lieutenant, a school custodian, a college professor and a school bus driver, have been arrested as part of the operation.
"There were numerous referrals around the country about these people who had placed orders," Fuller said Friday.
Since the Child Protection Act of 1984 was enacted, U.S. Postal Inspectors arrested more than 4,100 people suspected of child exploitation.
The Postal Inspection Service offers a standing reward of up to $50,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of anyone who uses the mail to send or receive child pornography. Information about child pornography trafficking through the mail can be reported at 954-436-7200. A 24-hour a day number is 305-869-5100. More information is available at www.usps.com/postalinspectors.
Marlene Garcia can be contacted at mgarcia@lahontanvalleynews.com
James Arthur Collins, 65, is accused of trying to order child pornography from a defunct Miami company that dealt in widespread sale and production of child pornography. U.S. Postal inspectors conducted a sting operation dubbed "Operation Lost Innocence" using customer lists after suspected ringleader Angel Mariscal, 45, was arrested in September 2002.
"The investigation revealed a horrifying case of sexual abuse, rape and commercial exploitation of more than 150 child victims, unraveling an international child pornography ring of staggering proportions," a statement from the postal inspection service states.
The agency says children used in the production of pornography range in age from 6-14, and most lived in Cuba and Ecuador. It claims Mariscal personally abused the children, and filmed the abuse. He offered a 30-minute video using a customer's script that would be filmed and sold for $975, authorities said.
Postal Inspector Brook Fuller, who investigated the Fallon case, said Mariscal tested positive for HIV after his arrest. Some of the children who were abused have been tested for the disease.
His arrest led to the arrest of 45 child pornographers and child molesters in 35 states, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Ecuador, inspectors report. More than 100 searches have been conducted throughout the United States in connection with the two-year investigation.
The agency says 40 U.S. citizens, including police officers, school teachers, fire department lieutenant, a school custodian, a college professor and a school bus driver, have been arrested as part of the operation.
"There were numerous referrals around the country about these people who had placed orders," Fuller said Friday.
Since the Child Protection Act of 1984 was enacted, U.S. Postal Inspectors arrested more than 4,100 people suspected of child exploitation.
The Postal Inspection Service offers a standing reward of up to $50,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of anyone who uses the mail to send or receive child pornography. Information about child pornography trafficking through the mail can be reported at 954-436-7200. A 24-hour a day number is 305-869-5100. More information is available at www.usps.com/postalinspectors.
Marlene Garcia can be contacted at mgarcia@lahontanvalleynews.com
