Fourteen year-old FBI Instructors!... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

SecretMethod70 · 06-05-2003, 03:55 AM

i found myself, like, lol'ing while i read this. it's, like, totally cool and funny at the same time lol

Quote:

Teaching the FBI how teens communicate
8th-graders helping corral pedophiles

Phuong Ly, Washington Post
Thursday, June 5, 2003
©2003 San Francisco Chronicle | Feedback

URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...6/05/TEENS.TMP

As undercover assignments go, posing as a teenage girl online to catch pedophiles has its share of challenges for the typical FBI agent.

Should he ever capitalize words in instant messages?

Is it OK to say you buy your clothes at 5-7-9?

And Justin Timberlake -- is he still hot or is he so two years ago?

For those investigative details, the FBI calls on Karen, Mary and Kristin -- Maryland eighth-graders and best friends.

During the past year, the three have been teaching agents across the country how to communicate just like teenage girls, complete with written quizzes on celebrity gossip and clothing trends and assigned reading in Teen People and YM magazines. The first time the girls gave a quiz, all the agents failed.

"They, like, don't know anything," said Mary, 14, giggling.

"They're, like, do you like Michael Jackson?" said Karen, 14, rolling her eyes.

Probably the youngest instructors ever in an FBI classroom, the girls have become an invaluable help to Operation Innocent Images -- an initiative that tries to stop people from peddling child pornography or otherwise sexually exploiting children, FBI officials said. (The girls' last names are being withheld to protect them from harassment on the Internet and elsewhere.)

On Tuesday, at their middle school graduation ceremony, the girls each received a silver-framed letter of commendation signed by FBI Director Robert Mueller. In the letter, Mueller thanked them for developing the lessons that have directly helped catch pedophiles, despite their "busy 8th-grade schedule."

Operation Innocent Images was launched by the Baltimore FBI field office in 1995, and agents looked into 113 suspects in the first year. Over the years, Internet pedophiles have become more savvy and more suspicious about whether they are chatting with a law enforcement agent or a real teenager. Many of the suspects question the chatters on trends and pop culture, trying to catch the FBI agents off guard.

Karen, Mary and Kristin -- honor roll students, PacSun shoppers and aficionados of pink toenail polish -- have kept the FBI a step ahead, said Gary Bald, special agent in charge of the Baltimore office.

The girls were recruited after one of their fathers, an agent involved in the pedophile investigations, watched her instant messaging a friend and couldn't understand what she was typing. He realized that FBI training wasn't enough.

"We can teach agents how to be careful and make sure they're following the law and how to arrest people," Bald said. "But how to convince people they're a 13-year-old is something we need help on."

Agents estimate that at any given time, 20,000 pedophiles are online worldwide, trolling chat rooms after school hours for vulnerable teenagers. The program has led to the convictions of about 2,200 people across the country for swapping child pornography or arranging to meet minors for sex.

Around the FBI offices, Karen, Mary and Kristin have become like the agents' adopted daughters, getting hugs and high-fives from their students. But naturally, the adults often think they know best.

One agent kept insisting that he was right when he answered on a quiz that Timberlake was more popular than Destiny's Child. Another was miffed when the girls told the class that Led Zeppelin was just not cool. Some kept wondering why "l2m" in instant messaging couldn't be "love to meet," instead of "listen to music."

©2003 San Francisco Chronicle

Seriously, good for them. The more accurate they can be, the better they can do their job and the more people they can nab. Of course, perhaps I should also be lamenting the fact that 14 year-olds of today write so badly, so frequently - even if it is in chat - that the FBI agents have to actually question whether or not they should capitalize words properly.

ARTelevision · 06-05-2003, 04:02 AM

Excellent story dude!

Yes, it was hard to still be "cool" after I had read the dictionary at 14. But what the heck. Words are words. They have uses. It's good to put them to whatever useful purpose they may serve.

Even when the language has been 187'd, it can still be used to save lives and minds...

Bill O'Rights · 06-05-2003, 04:26 AM

Actually, it's such a simple idea, I'm surprised that no one thought of it before. Having teenage girls teach the FBI how to "be" teenage girls. I love it!

One thing that perked the ol' eyebrow though were those stats. 20,000 pedophiles online at any given time. Think about that for just a sec. Those numbers not only concern...they terrify. 20,000...just looking to hook up with some teen. Scary scary shit my friends.

Loki · 06-05-2003, 04:48 AM

you missed the key word there, estimates...

still a scary figure.

hehe, that article is a pretty great find... i too found myself lol'ing especially the references to MJ and Led Zeppelin current popularity...

my god, has "our" time finished already?

Daval · 06-05-2003, 04:59 AM

great article. thanks!

Soothe · 06-05-2003, 06:09 AM

I can just picture a bunch of feds in their black suits sitting on a floor cross legged in a pink room with boy band pictures slapped all over the walls starring in horror as 3 teenage girls stand before them explaining how to properly use "lol" in a sentance and which actor they think is the cutest.

That Michael Jackson thing had me laughing so hard for some reason.

ratbastid · 06-05-2003, 06:17 AM

They're, like, do you like Michael Jackson?

Totally killed me. I love it.

Prophecy · 06-05-2003, 06:24 AM

hmmm, I would have thought Timberlake was more popular than Destiny's Child *shrugs* but the article was a fun read

JStrider · 06-05-2003, 07:47 AM

I like Led Zeppelin...

rockogre · 06-05-2003, 07:52 AM

Zeppelin rocks but then I'm not 14 and Timberlake is just another singer to me, nothing special.

I do like the fact that someone at the FBI actually tried something not "out of the manual" that is doing some good. People always talk about thinking outside the box but rarely actually do it.

Pedophiles are the ugly gray / green snot looking scum on the bottom of the gene pool and need to be eradicated by whatever means possible.

butthead · 06-05-2003, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Pedophiles are the ugly gray / green snot looking scum on the bottom of the gene pool and need to be eradicated by whatever means possible.

Oh, absolutely. People are summed up by their actions, desires, and circumstances. Good post.

THE MAC GOD · 06-05-2003, 08:05 AM

I guess as usual, the horse's mouth is the best place to go...

opentocomments · 06-05-2003, 08:36 AM

just like you like know like dont like tell like them like that like your like a like fbi like agent like you like know?

Edit: i wanted to ask would that be Mr. Ed mouth or another horses?

asdf1001 · 06-05-2003, 09:27 AM

I think the Michael Jackson comparison is funny!!!! talk about pedophiles!

WhoaitsZ · 06-05-2003, 09:42 AM

It is, like, totally so cool that the FBI got some common sense before, like, they were so yesterday.

i'm all for anything that allows proffesional law enforcement folk to realize they should act like the people in the area they work in.

good job. nice post

4thTimeLucky · 06-05-2003, 10:20 AM

so who teaches the paedophiles to talk teen?

are Mary, Karen and Kristin making a bit on the side from off-shoot entrepreneurial activity I wonder?

snowy · 06-05-2003, 11:36 AM

What a great article. Speaking of other ways they could make money, they could offer classes to parents on how to communicate with their teens...now that could be really helpful. It'd make parents feel hip

3leggedfrog · 06-05-2003, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by onesnowyowl
What a great article. Speaking of other ways they could make money, they could offer classes to parents on how to communicate with their teens...now that could be really helpful. It'd make parents feel hip

riggghhht parents that are cool.

oblar · 06-05-2003, 01:31 PM

I really enjoyed this story, thanks for the post

although I am not sure we should really encourage some people to type this way. It truly is a scary version of English; however, used to nab criminals is putting it to good use... Let us just hope the next generation can be taught proper English (or any other language) so that we no longer have to worry about whether we should punctuate.

krwlz · 06-05-2003, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JStrider
I like Led Zeppelin...

My only problem with the article....

Otyher then that, it is pretty cool that these guys are learning from 14 yr olds, and even beter that they are catching the internet scum out there....

limited · 06-05-2003, 05:49 PM

Timberlike is like totally soooooo much better than Destiny's child. My girl Beyonce needs to kick it up a notch.

Frowning Budah · 06-05-2003, 06:58 PM

4thTimeLucky makes a good point; who does teach the Pedophile? Or is it something that comes naturally?

MacGnG · 06-05-2003, 08:06 PM

8th graders dont have a busy schedule, but at least the FBI is getting good advice.

06-05-2003, 04:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	Excellent story dude! Yes, it was hard to still be "cool" after I had read the dictionary at 14. But what the heck. Words are words. They have uses. It's good to put them to whatever useful purpose they may serve. Even when the language has been 187'd, it can still be used to save lives and minds... __________________ create evolution

06-05-2003, 04:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
Bill O'Rights will always be an Alyson Hanniganite Location: In the dust of the archives	Actually, it's such a simple idea, I'm surprised that no one thought of it before. Having teenage girls teach the FBI how to "be" teenage girls. I love it! One thing that perked the ol' eyebrow though were those stats. 20,000 pedophiles online at any given time. Think about that for just a sec. Those numbers not only concern...they terrify. 20,000...just looking to hook up with some teen. Scary scary shit my friends. __________________ "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

06-05-2003, 04:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
Daval Junkie Location: The True North Strong and Free!	great article. thanks! __________________ "It is impossible to obtain a conviction for sodomy from an English jury. Half of them don't believe that it can physically be done, and the other half are doing it." Winston Churchill

06-05-2003, 06:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
Prophecy Oracle & Apollyon Location: Limbus Patrum	hmmm, I would have thought Timberlake was more popular than Destiny's Child shrugs but the article was a fun read __________________ La Disciplina È La Mia Spada, La Fede È Il Mio Schermo, Non salti Ciecamente In Incertezza, E Potete Raccogliere Le Ricompense.

06-05-2003, 07:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	I like Led Zeppelin... __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

06-05-2003, 04:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
Loki Psycho Location: Drifting.	you missed the key word there, estimates... still a scary figure. hehe, that article is a pretty great find... i too found myself lol'ing especially the references to MJ and Led Zeppelin current popularity... my god, has "our" time finished already?

06-05-2003, 06:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
Soothe Upright	I can just picture a bunch of feds in their black suits sitting on a floor cross legged in a pink room with boy band pictures slapped all over the walls starring in horror as 3 teenage girls stand before them explaining how to properly use "lol" in a sentance and which actor they think is the cutest. That Michael Jackson thing had me laughing so hard for some reason.

06-05-2003, 06:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	They're, like, do you like Michael Jackson? Totally killed me. I love it.

06-05-2003, 07:52 AM	#10 (permalink)
rockogre I aim to misbehave! Location: SW Oklahoma	Zeppelin rocks but then I'm not 14 and Timberlake is just another singer to me, nothing special. I do like the fact that someone at the FBI actually tried something not "out of the manual" that is doing some good. People always talk about thinking outside the box but rarely actually do it. Pedophiles are the ugly gray / green snot looking scum on the bottom of the gene pool and need to be eradicated by whatever means possible. __________________ Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American G. I. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom

06-05-2003, 08:05 AM	#12 (permalink)
THE MAC GOD Insane Location: In front of my keyboard.	I guess as usual, the horse's mouth is the best place to go... __________________ Why continue fighting? Is it for Love? Illusions. All as artificial as the Matrix itself, although only a human mind could invent something as insipid as Love.

06-05-2003, 08:36 AM	#13 (permalink)
opentocomments Psycho Location: St. Louis	just like you like know like dont like tell like them like that like your like a like fbi like agent like you like know? Edit: i wanted to ask would that be Mr. Ed mouth or another horses? __________________ How do we know that the sky is not green and we are all color-blind?

06-05-2003, 09:27 AM	#14 (permalink)
asdf1001 itty bitty titty committee chairman	I think the Michael Jackson comparison is funny!!!! talk about pedophiles! __________________ Goodbye!

06-05-2003, 09:42 AM	#15 (permalink)
WhoaitsZ Crazy Location: right behind you...	It is, like, totally so cool that the FBI got some common sense before, like, they were so yesterday. i'm all for anything that allows proffesional law enforcement folk to realize they should act like the people in the area they work in. good job. nice post

06-05-2003, 10:20 AM	#16 (permalink)
4thTimeLucky Psycho Location: 4th has left the building - goodbye folks	so who teaches the paedophiles to talk teen? are Mary, Karen and Kristin making a bit on the side from off-shoot entrepreneurial activity I wonder? __________________ I've been 4thTimeLucky, you've been great. Goodnight and God bless!

06-05-2003, 11:36 AM	#17 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	What a great article. Speaking of other ways they could make money, they could offer classes to parents on how to communicate with their teens...now that could be really helpful. It'd make parents feel hip __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

06-05-2003, 01:31 PM	#19 (permalink)
oblar Über-Rookie Location: No longer, D.C	I really enjoyed this story, thanks for the post although I am not sure we should really encourage some people to type this way. It truly is a scary version of English; however, used to nab criminals is putting it to good use... Let us just hope the next generation can be taught proper English (or any other language) so that we no longer have to worry about whether we should punctuate. __________________ "All that we can do is just survive. .All that we can do to help ourselves is stay alive." - Rush

06-05-2003, 05:49 PM	#21 (permalink)
limited Crazy Location: upstate, NY	Timberlike is like totally soooooo much better than Destiny's child. My girl Beyonce needs to kick it up a notch.

06-05-2003, 06:58 PM	#22 (permalink)
Frowning Budah Slave of Fear	4thTimeLucky makes a good point; who does teach the Pedophile? Or is it something that comes naturally?

06-05-2003, 08:06 PM	#23 (permalink)
MacGnG Know Where!	8th graders dont have a busy schedule, but at least the FBI is getting good advice.