Bujak announces plan to prosecute gang crime, offenses against children
Bujak announces plan to prosecute gang crime, offenses against children
Shortly after he was sworn in Monday as Canyon County Prosecutor, John Bujak signed a memorandum of understanding with Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden to join the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC). Bujak then announced the addition of an attorney dedicated to prosecuting gang cases at the federal level.
Local law enforcement officials told the Idaho Press-Tribune that both announcements were long overdue and send a strong message that Canyon County is unified in investigating and prosecuting crimes against children and criminal street gangs.
The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force is a statewide coalition of local, state and federal law enforcement and prosecution agencies focused on apprehending and prosecuting those who use the Internet to exploit children. These crimes include distribution of child pornography and using the Internet to target children for sexual abuse.
The Treasure Valley’s anti-gang program includes a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) who prosecutes gang-related crimes at the federal level. If convicted, gang criminals are jailed in federal prisons outside of Idaho – a long way from their gang base here in Idaho, saving Idaho taxpayers millions of dollars.
Bujak promised in his campaign that if elected, he would work cooperatively with state and federal officials. Another one of his goals, he said, is making sure children are safe.
By joining the ICAC task force, the prosecuting attorney’s office receives training – at no cost to the county – in the prosecution of Internet crimes to help prepare and present strong cases that lead to convictions and tough sentences.
Two years ago a SAUSA was hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and based out of Owyhee County. That attorney’s appointment is up and the incoming SAUSA will be housed in the Canyon County prosecutor’s office in Caldwell as well as in Boise at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The SAUSA will focus on gang crimes and will be a Canyon County deputy prosecutor under Bujak’s administration.
