Suspect Arrested by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit NR13260bb

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department Mission Division officers conducted a child sexual exploitation investigation.  During their interview with the 16 year old victim, she identified the suspect; Scott Hounsell as the person who had engaged in sexually explicit chats with her via a social media website. 

The LAPD Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit assisted with the investigation.  ICAC investigators confirmed the information provided by the victim.

Based on the LAPD investigation, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for 288.2 (a) (1) P.C., Sending harmful matter to a child.  Hounsell was arrested and booked; his bail was set at $40,000

The Los Angeles Regional ICAC Task Force is comprised of 55 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 pornography. 

The public is reminded that any suspected inappropriate contact with a minor or knowledge of child pornography 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, who will forward the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency on a nationwide basis. 

If anyone has any questions regarding this crime, please contact Lieutenant Andrea Grossman at 562-624-4027. Anyone wishing to report a crime may remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "web tips" and follow the prompts.