FBI ARRESTS VANCOUVER MINISTER

Charles Mathews III, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon, announces the arrest of the District Superintendent for the Northwest District of the Wesleyan Church in Vancouver, Washington, in connection with violation of Federal Transportation with the intent to engage in sex with a minor.

Agents arrested Reverend Thomas D. James, age 45, in Northeast Portland, Oregon, without incident, at approximately 4:30 p.m., on Tuesday, May 13, 2003. If convicted of these charges, James could face up to 15 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. James is charged via a sworn criminal complaint, which is an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Any persons with information relating to the conduct of Thomas D. James, is encouraged to contact the Portland Office of the FBI, at (503) 224-4181.

These charges arose in connection with the Innocent Images National Initiative investigative program. Innocent Images is an investigative program designed to crack down on those who make and traffic in child pornography and those who prey on children on-line. The Portland FBI, along with partners from the Beaverton Police Department, Hillsboro Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspectors Office and U.S. Customs Service, launched the "Innocent Images" program in Portland in November 2002.

Each year, one in four children between the ages of 10 and 17 is exposed to pornography. One in five children receives a sexual solicitation over the Internet. One in 17 children is threatened or harassed. Between Fiscal Year 1996 and FY 2001, the FBI saw a 1,280% increase in the number of Innocent Images cases opened (113 to 1,559).

The FBI began the Innocent Images National Initiative in 1995 to address the illicit activities of those who were using commercial and private on-line services. Now, seven years later, the Innocent Images program focuses on three areas:

There are currently 22 other FBI offices in the United States that are running Innocent Images programs. Nationally, the program is so successful that President Bush has called for significantly increased funding in the new fiscal year so that the program can be expanded even further.

Community members may report on-line predators and child pornography by calling the Portland office at (503) 224-4181, by e-mailing the information to portland@fbi.gov or by contacting the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.cybertipline.com. DO NOT E-MAIL THE PORNOGRAPHIC PICTURES THEMSELVES -- ONLY INFORMATION ABOUT THE LOCATION OF THE PICTURES.

Parents will find quite a bit of useful information concerning kids on-line in the Parent's Guide to Internet Safety booklet. The FBI has posted that booklet on its web site: www.fbi.gov.