Child porn case dropped to prevent FBI disclosure

First the good news.
Michael Fluckiger (real name?) got 20 years for running the child porn site named Play Pen. But there are a number of other people who were busted that could be let go because of odd actions by the FBI.

www.bbc.com...
Mr Michaud's case is one of many emerging from the investigation into Playpen users.

In December, the Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell said the investigation of Playpen led to more than 200 active prosecutions and the identification or rescue of at least 49 American children who were subject to sexual abuse.

In January, Michael Fluckiger was sentenced to 20 years in jail for running the Playpen site.

Once the site's administrators had been arrested, the FBI kept the site going for 13 days to gather information about members.

Go home, your free. US prosecutors have dropped a child porn case against a man because the govt( FBI) refused to say how they got his identity.
Our friends at play pen use Tor network to anonymise web browsing activity.

US prosecutors have dropped a case against a man accused of using a child porn site because the government refused to divulge how it revealed his identity.

The Playpen site was located on the Tor network which is used to anonymise web-browsing activity.

The FBI used "network investigative techniques" to reveal peoples identity. But the FBI is refusing to share how those techniques are used to get to the peoples actual identity. So the Federal prosecutors said if the FBI is not going to share this info, they tossed the child porn charges against defendant Jay Michaud. He was deprived of evidence needed to establish he was guilty..

To get round this Tor Identity blocker the FBI used what it called "network investigative techniques" and revealed people's identities. But it refused a request for information on its technological investigation techniques. Federal prosecutor Annette Hayes wrote in a court filing on Friday that "because the government remains unwilling to disclose certain discovery related to the FBI's deployment of a 'network investigative technique'" it was "deprived of the evidence needed to establish defendant Jay Michaud's guilt beyond reasonable doubt".

Well i shouldnt say this;" I hope the mob, does the job "

a reply to: tikbalang

Are you talking about settling the problem with the pedo that will more than likely be getting off the hook?

a reply to: seasonal

Society, should keep its citizens safe, if they cant do it;" Well we dont have a Batman or a Superman "

a reply to: tikbalang

Why would the mob get involved with this? Or is this just thinking out loud on the key board?

originally posted by: seasonal
a reply to: tikbalang

Why would the mob get involved with this? Or is this just thinking out loud on the key board?

I think he means mob as in "bunch of people" or more apt "lynchmob" not as in "mafia"

a reply to: seasonal

Seriously? They had to keep the site up and running for two weeks to "get information" from users? Smh...

a reply to: DupontDeux

Got it, that didn't cross my mind.

If the FBI itself is blocking prosecution of some mystery pedos, maybe they are covering up some hi level participants of state?

Protection racket

a reply to: intrptr

They gave the guys name in the story. With 200 active prosecutions I can't see how one of them are going to get convicted if the FBI refuses to disclose the way they got their identity.

a reply to: seasonal

IMO, the one name is the cover story why they are involved. I'm wondering who else is being hushed up, remaining nameless...


Have we ever heard of this before? Politician gets arrested in Brothel raid but unlike everyone else there is never charged.

Nowadays people are way more twisted in their sexual preferences than ever. These networks are freakin scary.

Blocking by the FBI is suspicious as hell.

(imo)

a reply to: intrptr

Good point, this could this tie in Trump saying he is going to bust up pedo rings?

And could Comey be pushing Trump with the wire tap denial?

a reply to: seasonal

The fbi doesn't want to reveal that there are no boundaries to their access of your tech devices.

a reply to: Woodcarver

And that there is no such thing as privacy. But it is for your protection, right?

originally posted by: seasonal
a reply to: tikbalang

Why would the mob get involved with this? Or is this just thinking out loud on the key board?

Ahhh, put it this way, the pedo needs a dirt nap. If the judicial system lets him off because the FBI refuse to reveal how they obtained his name, but there is still sufficient evidence for what he's done... hell I'd grab my shovel.

Filthy pigs like that don't deserve to have a heart beat.

originally posted by: Woodcarver
a reply to: seasonal

The fbi doesn't want to reveal that there are no boundaries to their access of your tech devices.

Pretty much. This is why the whole iPhone passcode thing was such a joke. They just wanted a super-duper easy way in.

They have satellites in orbit that can read newspaper headlines. They can remotely view your computer monitor blocks away from the RF signal it gives off (TEMPEST, google it). They can listen to your conversations by bouncing a laser off your windows.

Anything connected to the internet can be infiltrated by the NSA. xKeyscore and TAOS anyone? Google those too.

If you are being targeted for an investigation, they will know what you whispered to your dog before bed and what type of toothpaste you used the next morning.

That is, assuming of course, the FULL weight of every tool in the arsenal is thrown against a single individual. Many of those tools would become useless if information gained with them were used to prosecute an American citizen.

"So how did the prosecution get this information?"

Well, now people will build counter measures to that specific intelligence gathering tool!

a reply to: Woodcarver

Thats part of it.

Let it be known that the TOR network is not anonymous.


More than the FBI, people should demand that the prosecutors be fired and replaced.

We're talking about pedophilia.

Need a prosecuting attorney who will force the FBI to testify, even if it means imprisoning agents until they agree to do so.

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: seasonal

I'm wondering who else is being hushed up, remaining nameless

Blocking by the FBI is suspicious as hell.

(imo)

I was thinking the same thing....who....or ....what big wig was caught ?

a reply to: Kettu

That is, assuming of course, the FULL weight of every tool in the arsenal is thrown against a single individual. Many of those tools would become useless if information gained with them were used to prosecute an American citizen.

They have much bigger fish to fry, investigations like that are rarely carried out on individual citizens. If they are, its because they already have information about them usually associated with felony crimes of such a serious nature they are using increasingly more complex and expensive methods of surveillance to capture evidence.

This is not a blanket cover all technology to monitor everyone, only focusing on rackets, criminal networks, drug cartels, etc.

originally posted by: Meldionne1

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: seasonal

I'm wondering who else is being hushed up, remaining nameless

Blocking by the FBI is suspicious as hell.

(imo)

I was thinking the same thing....who....or ....what big wig was caught ?

Probably several names came up. They like to share their guilty pleasures together.

And like oops some honest detective snooped into the wrong address and Slam, the door gets shut on any further investigation, at the highest level.

Theres your sign.