Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) is continuing to push for the passage of his bipartisan Coercion and Sexual Abuse Free Environment (CSAFE) Act on social media after another case of a predator being arrested for exploiting a minor surfaced.
The Latest Case
A 37-year-old man named Shawn Black, a registered sex offender in Tigard, Oregon, was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations and local police in the area after he was found communicating with and sexually exploiting a 13-year-old girl in Mesa, Arizona.
Black pretended to be a fellow teenager and contacted the girl on TikTok, where he pressured her into sending him sexually explicit images starting in July.
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office issued a warrant for Black's extradition to the Grand Canyon State.
Rep. Biggs' Comment
"I appreciate the local law enforcement personnel and prosecutors who tirelessly worked to bring this predator to justice," Rep. Biggs posted to X, adding, "There should be zero tolerance for individuals seeking to exploit and harm our young boys and girls."
Rep. Biggs further emphasized that this latest case is why he is "continuing to push for approval of my Coercion and Sexual Abuse Free Environment (CSAFE) Act. Passage of this bill would close gaps in federal law that allow predators to hide behind screens, anonymity, and outdated statutes while young lives are shattered."
As previously reported, the Arizona Congressman's bill strengthens federal penalties for online predators who coerce minors into acts of self-harm, animal abuse, suicide, and other acts of degradation or abuse.
Unfortunately, Biggs has not been lacking in cases demonstrating why the bill needs to pass the Senate and head to the President's desk.
One example occurred in April, when a woman named Amanda Leigh Fourez pleaded guilty to paying others to create "animal crush videos" and distribute them online.
Then in July, a man named Joshua Jacobs was arrested in Glendale after fleeing DeKalb, Georgia, for exploiting a 12-year-old online.
Finally, the most recent case near the end of October saw former Prescott teacher Scott Miller plead guilty to one count of sexually exploiting a minor online and two counts of attempted exploitation.
