Idaho AG Asks for More Money for Crimes Against Children’s Unit

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's attorney general's office is asking the Legislature to transfer $185,000 to its Internet Crimes Against Children unit.

The Idaho Press-Tribune reports that the unit needs to funds to hire additional staff: one new investigator and a new forensics expert. Deputy Attorney General Casey Hemmer says child pornography is not the best term to describe the crimes the unit investigates. Hemmer says when children are depicted in photos and videos on the Internet, they are victims of child abuse.

The requested funds are earmarked to pay local police detectives who work for the unit. The transfer would let the unit hire new staffers directly.