Detectives Attempt to Identify Additional Victims NR22098rc

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department’s Juvenile Division, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, are seeking to identify any additional victims after the arrest of 50-year-old Joseph Gatt, a Los Angeles resident.

On April 6, 2022, around 4:45 a.m., detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Juvenile Division, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, served a residential search warrant at the home of Joseph Gatt in the area of 3rd Street and La Jolla, after they received information that Gatt had been engaged in online sexually explicit communication with a minor across state lines. He was subsequently arrested by detectives for an outstanding felony warrant for California Penal Code 288.3(a) – Contact with a Minor for Sexual Offense.

Joseph Gatt

The Los Angeles Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is comprised of over 100 federal and local affiliate agencies that detect and investigate child predators that use the Internet as a means to contact children or deal in child sexual abuse material. The public is reminded that any suspected inappropriate contact with a minor or knowledge of child sexual abuse material on the Internet, should be immediately reported to their local law enforcement agency or to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678, or missing kids.com. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children will forward the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency nationwide.

This case is an ongoing investigation being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Denos Amarantos at 562-624-4027. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu. Tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.