WMTV Channel 15 broadcast a report on September 7 regarding the Whitewater police department’s ongoing investigation into internet crimes against children. “The investigation began after the department received a tip on Dec. 29 through Wisconsin ICAC, the state’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force run by the Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation,” WMTV stated. According to the report, the Whitewater Police Department detective unit’s ongoing investigation into these crimes against children has identified “at least 4,000 victims, and suspects around the globe.”

Detective Lieutenant Anthony Heilberger, who leads the detective bureau, told WMTV that “the department’s central message to parents and children is to be cautious about who they are communicating with online. He said parents should monitor their children’s online activity, talk with them about what they are doing online, and keep computers and cell phones in shared or public spaces in the home.”

A Whitewater Banner post on March 7 indicated that Cody J. Pierson, 39, of 1254 W. Satinwood Lane, had been charged with Possession of Child Pornography and Child Sexual Exploitation. Police alleged that over 114,000 images and recordings of child pornography had been found on Pierson’s devices. Pierson is still confined in the Walworth County Jail, and he most recently appeared in court by video on September 3 for a status conference. Another such conference is scheduled for October 22. A trial date has not yet been established. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, Pierson is presumed innocent of all charges.

The Banner reached out to Police Chief Dan Meyer for further information regarding the larger investigation. Meyer indicated that the television station spoke with the department staff quite a while ago and they’ve continued working the case since. He stated that he would get an update from the staff before responding to our questions.