About the Guest(s):

Brandon Poor is a dedicated investigator specializing in child exploitation and abuse investigations with the Grand Prairie Police Department. Additionally, he is the co-producer of the Catfish Cops podcast. Poor uses his expertise in law enforcement to combat online exploitation and safeguard children within the digital world. His work includes going undercover online to intercept and apprehend individuals who prey on children, furthering his commitment to child safety and criminal justice.

Episode Summary:

In this revealing episode of the "Who You Know" show, host Trevor Houston sits down with investigator Brandon Poor to delve into the concerning world of child exploitation and the rising tide of sextortion. Poised at the forefront of this battle, Poor shares his insights into the digital risks facing today's youth and the relentless efforts of law enforcement to protect them.

Brandon Poor sheds light on the alarming prevalence of child exploitation, underlining that while not every child may be a victim, the problem is far more widespread than generally acknowledged. He emphasizes the stark contrast between traditional, hands-on abuse, often perpetrated by someone known to the child in their immediate environment, and the boundaryless reach of online exploitation, which often involves perpetrators unknown to the children they target. In the evolution of digital predation, sextortion has emerged as a perilous threat to which even children from stable, supportive families are vulnerable. The conversation further explores Poor's own experiences working undercover to unmask these predators and shares stories of successful interventions that underscore the valuable work done by our law enforcement agencies.

Resources:

Chapters:

(0:00:00) Child abuse and exploitation statistics

(0:01:19) The prevalence of child exploitation

(0:03:16) The process of grooming and online child exploitation

(0:04:40) A successful catch story

(0:07:14) Introduction to the Catfish Cops podcast

(0:09:04) How to support the cause and access resources