Arrests Made in Covington for Child Exploitation
COVINGTON, La. (WGNO) — Three men were arrested on child exploitation related charges in Covington on Thursday, April 11.
Covington Police Chief Michael Ferrell reported that 74-year-old Wendell Swaithes Jr., 25-year-old Karam Abdalbaqui and 45-year-old Randolph Burge were arrested and charged with crimes related to targeting children for sex.
Undercover Operation to Combat Child Exploitation
Members of Covington Police Department and the Louisiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force made the arrest following an undercover operation aimed at finding those using websites and online platforms to meet and engage with minors for sexual activity.
Investigators placed decoy advertisements on websites known to be associated with prostitution and commercial sex and made themselves available on other common mobile dating applications.
The defendants allegedly responded to a location in Covington, intending to engage in sexual activity with a minor.
Charges and Arrests
As a result of the operation, the following people were booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on the following charges:
- Swaithes Jr. is charged with computer-aided solicitation of a minor and indecent behavior with juveniles.
- Abdalbaqui is charged with computer-aided solicitation of a minor and indecent behavior with juveniles.
- Burge is charged with computer-aided solicitation of a minor, indecent behavior with juveniles and obstruction of justice.
Collaborative Investigation
The joint investigation was led by the Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Cyber Crime Unit and hosted by the Covington Police Department, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, United States Secret Service, the Mandeville Police Department and the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual exploitation | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 5: Gender Equality
The issue of child exploitation and targeting children for sex is connected to SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. This is because child exploitation disproportionately affects girls and is a form of violence against them.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The issue of child exploitation is also connected to SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence against children is a key target under SDG 16.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual exploitation
The specific target under SDG 5 that can be identified based on the article’s content is to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, including trafficking and sexual exploitation. The arrests made in Covington were related to crimes targeting children for sex, which falls under this target.
Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
The specific target under SDG 16 that can be identified based on the article’s content is to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The arrests made in Covington were related to child exploitation, which falls under this target.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No, the article does not mention or imply any specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, indicators such as the number of arrests made for child exploitation cases, the number of successful prosecutions, and the number of victims rescued or supported can be potential indicators to measure progress towards these targets.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual exploitation | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
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Source: wgno.com
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