RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. — A local organization is partnering with sheriff's offices across the Triad to rescue children who have been exploited, solicited, and trafficked.
The counter-human trafficking organization, Lantern Rescue approached Randolph County Sheriff Greg Seabolt wanting to partner with them to start a fusion center in Randolph County.
Sheriff Seabolt then reached out to the Sheriffs of Alamance, Davidson, and Forsyth counties, the State Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security, to include them in this partnership.
The fusion center will be called The Invictus Project.
The Invictus Project will utilize a methodical approach to investigate cyber tips based on solvability factors.
The project will focus on daily undercover operations to search for online predators.
It will be the first of its kind in North Carolina to use this full-time model and partner with surrounding counties.
Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough weighed in on the project.
“Crime has no respect of bounds. Grateful to be a part of this Invictus unit," Sheriff Kimbrough said.
The fusion center will be based in Asheboro.
This project will focus on the education and training of officers on topics centered around cyber investigations, human trafficking, child exploitation, undercover chat operations and more.
"We believe in it. We are ready to bring our resources together,” Davidson County Sheriff Richie Simmons said.
On Monday, at the Randolph County Commissioners' meeting, Sheriff Seabolt presented a proposal to fund The Invictus Project.
The Commissioners unanimously approved the request and adopted the budget amendment.
A press conference was held Wednesday to provide more details on this partnership.
During the press conference, Sheriff Seabolt expressed that child sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking is prevalent and that today's generation is most vulnerable.
Sheriff Seabolt said during Operation Child Predator, a case on stopping a child predator, they learned predators are willing to go to great lengths to prey on children.
“We want to send a message to all the predators. They are not welcome. If they do attempt to get online to persuade a juvenile to have sex with them we will be there to intercept it,” Sheriff Seabolt said.
North Carolina ranks at number nine in human trafficking.
“It’s up to us to be able to do something about it. We are going to step forward and let the people know that we care about our children,” said Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson.
Each county will be responsible for manpower. Randolph County Commissioners have found funding for this project, and Lantern Rescue has also committed to help.
"This project will bring resources to ensure that law enforcement have what they need to do this work," Ray Dawson with Lantern Rescue said.
To fill the positions for the Invictus Project trained detectives will step up to man the building and work in Randolph County.
Sheriff Johnson said Alamance County is currently working on six cyber tips.
“Our children are our most precious resource and deserve our best efforts to protect them from the evils of society," Sheriff Seabolt said.