Undercover Detective Plays Key Role in Child Exploitation Arrest

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Fairfax County, VA – Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau arrested a man on charges related to crimes against children after an online investigation.

On July 18, our detectives received information indicating that a Maryland resident, Joseph Muir Osborne, 68, was allegedly involved in crimes against children. Osborne reportedly used internet platforms to engage in sexually explicit communication with an undercover detective from our Child Exploitation Unit.

During the interaction, Osborne provided illicit pictures of underage children and information that incriminated him of having illegal contact with a minor in Maryland.

After a week-long investigation, detectives, in collaboration with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Osborne. He faces twenty-five counts of Distribution of Child Pornography and one count of Distribution of Bestiality. Osborne is currently being held at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center on other child exploitation-related charges and is awaiting extradition to Fairfax County.

Parents are urged to closely monitor their children’s online activities and use available security settings to prevent the use of inappropriate sites or platforms. Children should be encouraged to report any person engaging in inappropriate conversations or trying to coerce them into providing sexually explicit images of themselves. Additional internet safety information provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children can be found HERE. There are many applications predators use to solicit victims. Parents are encouraged to know what applications their children are using and have open dialog of the dangers they may pose.

Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding these incidents or others with a similar nexus to call our Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 6. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – (703)-246-4676) and by web – Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you. 

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