A child sex offender internet investigations unit that was part of the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office will continue its work at the sheriff’s office.
The unit, known as Cheezo, was disbanded late last year after a grievance was filed by a defense attorney with the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.
At issue were for Colorado lawyers that say an attorney shall not lie, deceive or engage in subterfuge. The subterfuge rule applies to any employee of a lawyer’s office, according to state ethical guidelines.
As part of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the unit will not be subject to the , allowing investigators to continue their work.
Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader and District Attorney Pete Weir announced the development on Wednesday. The Cheezo unit, a sergeant, two investigators, and its Cheezo character mascot, will start work immediately.
Beyond criminal investigation, the unit engages in community awareness and educational events, including teaching children about potential dangers of the internet.
“Children are and should be trusting, naïve and innocent,” Sheriff Jeff Shrader said during a public announcement Wednesday. “There is no higher priority for the sheriff’s office than to protect these most vulnerable citizens. I am grateful to the commissioners and the district attorney for working with me to ensure the long-standing tradition of Cheezo continues its successful investigations into, and convictions of, internet predators.”
In a 10-year span at the DA’s office, the Cheezo unit arrested and helped to convict more than 900 online sexual predators of children.
