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A.G. LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE WITH ARREST VIDEO OF ALLEGED INTERNET PREDATOR
Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff today showed the arrest video of an alleged Internet predator to showcase the new website for the Utah Attorney General's Office. The A.G. website at www.attorneygeneral.utah.gov underwent an extreme make-over in order to offer more video, audio clips, photos, blogs, documents and even a new way to get AMBER Alerts.
The new video shows the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force assisting the Sevier County Sheriff's Office and Richfield Police Department in Tuesday's arrest of 26-year-old Adam B. Rich. The suspect allegedly arranged to have sex with an underage girl he met online. Detectives say Rich traveled to meet the girl while she was supposedly shopping for new school clothes at a Salt Lake valley mall. The suspect was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on one count of enticement of a minor.
A live webcast of the press conference, arrest video and a mugshot will be posted at http://www.attorneygeneral.utah.gov/928.html. Defendants are presumed innocent until a conviction is entered.
"For most Utah children summer vacation is over but predators never rest," says Attorney General Mark Shurtleff. "This video should be a signal to teens and parents that predators are lurking wherever kids can be found." Shurtleffs adds that the new website has tips on how to protect yourself online.
Journalists and citizens will be able to find the following on the new website:
- Press releases with high-definition and low definition video, audio clips, pictures and related court documents
- Live and taped webcasts of press conferences
- RSS notifications of new web postings and AMBER Alerts
- Media presentations on the mission of the Attorney General's Office and a biography of Mark Shurtleff
Shurtleff has also started the "A.G. Blog" to share personal experiences. Recent blogs include stories about the Attorney General's "slightly damaged" motorcycle helmet that was auctioned off for the Law Enforcement Memorial and video of Shurtleff
unveiling a copy of the Declaration of Independence.
The Conference of Western Attorneys General has already honored the new site with a "Waggie" for Best Overall Website. Judges noted that the site could have easily won in several other categories as well.
Shurtleff says the A.G. website is part of his commitment to conduct the public's business in public. "Journalists do a great job of condensing vast amounts of information for the public," says Shurtleff. "This new website will satisfy those who want to go beyond the headlines to find out how the Attorney General's Office is working to
protect their families."
The Attorney General's Office will be looking for opportunities to provide video in situations that cameras normally are not allowed. "We will make sure that we protect our investigations and prosecutions but we will also be looking for new ways to inform the public," says Shurtleff.
The Salt Lake City advertising firm Richter7 redesigned the website and provided tools so information can be posted within minutes. Deputy Communications Director Scott Troxel and Attorney General Web Master Chris Earl played key roles in the site's development.
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