Mission creep?

[VoiceofReason]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/07/23/ne ... latestnews" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"A man facing child pornography charges may reportedly walk free after a New York judge threw out more than 100 pornographic videos seized from his home computer because the search warrant listed the wrong address.

The New York Daily News reports that Yuri Bershchansky, 29, of Brooklyn, was targeted by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents who searched his apartment in the two-family dwelling in Gerritsen Beach, court documents indicate."

Why is the FBI not handling this? Where does the DHS get the authority to “target” someone and search a residence for something not related to terrorism?

I am not defending the guy. This just seems to me that the DHS is taking authority they should not have.

[baldeagle]

I am not defending the guy. This just seems to me that the DHS is taking authority they should not have.

Not to mention botching it so massively that the guy is goes scot free. Gee, do you think trained law enforcement personnel might have done a better job???

[bayouhazard]

I wonder if it's a backdoor pardon of an informant?

[n5wd]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/07/23/ne ... latestnews

"A man facing child pornography charges may reportedly walk free after a New York judge threw out more than 100 pornographic videos seized from his home computer because the search warrant listed the wrong address.

The New York Daily News reports that Yuri Bershchansky, 29, of Brooklyn, was targeted by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents who searched his apartment in the two-family dwelling in Gerritsen Beach, court documents indicate."

Why is the FBI not handling this? Where does the DHS get the authority to “target” someone and search a residence for something not related to terrorism?

I am not defending the guy. This just seems to me that the DHS is taking authority they should not have.

Foreign pornography that is imported into the US falls under US Customs jurisdiction, IIRC, and that equals Homeland Security.

[Keith B]

Foreign pornography that is imported into the US falls under US Customs jurisdiction, IIRC, and that equals Homeland Security.

Correct. If it is interstate or international crime, then the FBI (DHS) will normally be the handeling agency.

[texanjoker]

That is why you proof read those search warrant affidavits, but people are human and can make a mistake. Unfortunately this type of mistake resulted in evidence being lost. The good part is that this freak will get online in a few days to download some more child porn and they will do it right the next time.

[SQLGeek]

The DHS is an umbrella organization that covers several agencies including ICE, CBP, the US Coast Guard, and the Secret Service. Many times you'll see in an article the agents generalized as DHS agents when they are really ICE, CBP, etc.

[VMI77]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/07/23/ne ... latestnews

"A man facing child pornography charges may reportedly walk free after a New York judge threw out more than 100 pornographic videos seized from his home computer because the search warrant listed the wrong address.

The New York Daily News reports that Yuri Bershchansky, 29, of Brooklyn, was targeted by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents who searched his apartment in the two-family dwelling in Gerritsen Beach, court documents indicate."

Why is the FBI not handling this? Where does the DHS get the authority to “target” someone and search a residence for something not related to terrorism?

I am not defending the guy. This just seems to me that the DHS is taking authority they should not have.

I think I can answer that: DHS is intended to be the new initials for the KGB. Once the political squabbling over budgets is hashed out ICE, FBI, and other such initials will no longer be needed, and we'll have our very own national police force. In fact, there is really no reason for separate police departments and jurisdictions, might as well roll all LE into DHS.