Fugitive wanted for child pornography apprehended in Reno; ICE HSI investigation led to conviction
LAS VEGAS – Today U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Washoe County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) assisted by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Fugitive Task Force arrested Joseph George Terrone, Jr. in Reno. On December 12, 2019, the United States District Court, District of Nevada, issued a federal arrest warrant for Terrone for the charges of receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. The charges were a result of HSI and ICAC serving a search warrant on Terrone’s computer.
“Through the collaborative efforts of local and federal law enforcement agencies, we were successfully able to track down this deviant, child exploitation predator and bring him to justice,” said Francisco Burrola, special agent in charge, Las Vegas, HSI. “This multi-agency effort epitomizes our ongoing mission here in Nevada and is a testament to the men and women who work these cases.”
Capturing the individual was a result of the Nevada USMS Fugitive Task Force which brings together the resources and expertise of state, local, and federal agencies in a coordinated effort to arrest dangerous and violent fugitives. The USMS Fugitive Task Force is comprised of Deputy U.S. Marshals, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), Washoe County District Attorney’s Office, Division of Investigations, Nevada Division of Parole and Probation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Nevada Department of Corrections, Office of the Inspector General (NDOC IG), Nevada DMV Compliance and Enforcement Division, Nevada Gaming and Control Board, Storey County Sheriff’s Office and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
When HSI and ICAC agents attempted to arrest Terrone at his residence it was discovered Terrone fled to evade capture. District of Nevada U.S. Marshal Gary Schofield stated, “This is a great example of local and federal agencies combining each other’s expertise and resources in bringing justice for victims.”
Targeting predators is a top priority for HSI. Nationally, in fiscal year (FY) 2019, HSI initiated 4,224 child exploitation cases resulting in 3,771 criminal arrests and identified or rescued 1,066 victims – an increase of nearly 18 percent over FY 2018.
HSI works in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and other international, federal, state, and local agencies to help solve cases and rescue sexually exploited children. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to NCMEC via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.
Updated: