FBI discusses efforts to combat opioid abuse and ‘sextortion’

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Opioid abuse is a major problem that rips apart families and destroys communities.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, from 1991 to 2016, more than 12,000 in the state died from opioid-related overdoses.

Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Stanley Meador is based in the FBI’s Wilmington office. He says there is a very big problem with opioid abuse across the Cape Fear region.

“One thing the FBI has done in partnership with local law enforcement agencies is that we have met with them to get a full assessment of the severity of the problem and it is severe,” Meador said.

That’s why the FBI took the initiative to help form a task force designed to combat the opioid crisis.

Shelley Lynch, a spokesperson for the FBI’s Charlotte Division, says at the federal level they are focused on three primary areas: prevention, enforcement and treatment. She says the FBI is specifically involved in the first two areas.

“Several years ago, the FBI created a documentary called Chasing the Dragon,” Lynch said. “It was a partnership with the DEA where we were really trying to get a raw look at how opioid addiction is impacting well people and addicts.”

The addicts featured in the film wanted others to better understand how the abuse impacts them everyday.

From a federal law enforcement perspective, Meador said the FBI’s efforts are making a difference.

“I think if you look back in just the last 12 months, you will find that we have sought to target the largest dealers that we could identify and get them into federal court,” he said.

During the last year, Meador said the FBI has sentenced 10 major dealers with pretty significant sentences.

If you or someone you know is abusing opiods, the FBI recommends calling a local agency that offers treatment.

“There are many different agencies in the New Hanover County area helping with substance abuse and getting people the help they need,” and Lynch added, “Going through their local law enforcement and substance abuse areas would be the first step.”

In addition to the opioid crisis, another major focus area for the FBI involves ‘sextortion,’ an enticement in which children and teens are victimized by online predators.

“Children who are online on different social media sites think they may be talking to another child when in reality it is an adult with a fake profile who is trying to get that child to send them inappropriate photos,” and Lynch added, “If the child at some point determines they don’t feel comfortable with that and doesn’t want to send them, then that person threatens to release those photos to their family and friends to embarrass them.”

As a result, many teens fall into a continuing cycle of providing inappropriate photos of themselves as a result of being intimidated by the online predator.

With the summer break upon us and children spending more unsupervised parental time at home or alone, the FBI offers this warning for parents.

“The number one thing we are asking parents to have is an honest conversation with their children,” Meador said.

He says its important to remind children and teens the person they’re communicating with online may not be who they claim to be.

“Make sure privacy settings are set appropriately on the devices they’re using,” he added.

It’s also imperative for parents to know passwords for each of their children’s electronic devices.

“Do spot checks occasionally to see what they are downloading and what they’re uploading,” Meador advised.

The FBI offers these reminders to protect yourself and others against sextortion:

• Make children aware that anything done online may be available to others.
• Make sure apps and privacy settings are set to the strictest level possible.
• Parents should review and approve apps and monitor activity on all devices.
• Regularly go through “friends” and “followers” list and delete anyone your child has not met in person.
• Anyone who asks a child to engage in sexually explicit activity online should be reported to a parent, guardian, or law enforcement immediately.

You can find more resources at FBI.gov. To report suspected sextortion crimes, call your local FBI office or 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).