Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS)

Welcome to the website of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Since its creation in 1987, CEOS´s mission has been to protect the welfare of America´s children and communities by enforcing federal criminal statutes relating to the exploitation of children and obscenity.

CEOS and its High Technology Investigative Unit (HTIU), created in 2002, are the nation´s experts in prosecuting child exploitation cases, and in investigating high-technology child exploitation crimes. CEOS attorneys and HTIU computer forensic specialists help lead the Department of Justice´s efforts to continuously improve the enforcement of federal child exploitation laws and prevent the exploitation of children. CEOS attorneys and HTIU computer forensic specialists investigate and prosecute defendants who have violated federal child exploitation laws and also assist the 94 United States Attorney Offices in investigations, trials, and appeals related to these offenses. In addition, CEOS attorneys and HTIU computer forensic specialists perform other vital functions within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, including providing advice and training to federal prosecutors, law enforcement personnel and government officials, and participating in national and international meetings on training and policy development. CEOS also works to develop and refine proposals for prosecution policies, legislation, government practices, and agency regulations. In all aspects of their work, CEOS attorneys and HTIU computer forensic specialists seek to blend investigative and prosecutorial experience with policy expertise in order to create innovative solutions to the threats posed by those who violate federal child exploitation laws.