The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is implementing a new technique to catch online predators. From child pornography to human trafficking, the Cyber Crimes Division at the Benton County Sheriff’s Office works daily to cut down on crime.

“Many of the criminals feel they are safe to utilize this digital device on the dark web and this currency to fulfill their sick needs. I say to them, not in Benton County,” said Sheriff Shawn Holloway, with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

Bitcoin is a type of virtual currency that child predators are using to purchase things like child pornography over the dark web.

“We have to stay proactive, we have to protect our children from these predators that are out there trying to get our children on a daily basis.” Holloway said.

The Sheriff’s Office is now using a new technique called bitcoin mining to track down those criminals.

“Bitcoin mining is an algorithm, it’s a device used to go out and capture the remnants of what’s left of bitcoins,” said Detective Dennis Schumacher, with the Cyber Crimes Division at the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

The department will use the coins they collect to trace who is on the other side of the transaction.

This will help us to further investigations including child pornography, exploitation, and human trafficking that is being done online.” Holloway said.

Sheriff Shawn Holloway said getting those predators behind bars will better protect children in our community.

“We have to be able to change when the criminals change. We’re going to stay ahead of this and stay ahead of the criminals one step at the time.”

Deputies are hosting a parent’s night on Thursday to teach parents how to better protect their children from online predators. The event is free and will begin at 6 p.m. at the sheriff’s office. For more information click here.