By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Republican Attorney General Nominee Michael Gibbons is proposing creating a new cyber crimes unit in Missouri.
Gibbons says the unit would go after sexual predators, identity thieves, and other online criminals.
"We've actually been talking about it with prosecutors and law enforcement folks for several weeks...those involved in the area believe that they'll be a real enhancement to their efforts," Gibbons said.
The cyber crimes unit would have an attorney, a computer forensics expert, and several investigators.
Danny Kanner, spokesman for Democratic Attorney General nominee Chris Koster, says Gibbons' proposal has already been implemented.
"Senator Koster thinks that the creation of a cyber crimes unit inside the Attorney General's office is a great idea, and has thought so since 2001, when Attorney General (Jay) Nixon created that unit," Kanner said.
A spokesperson for the current Attorney General says, though, that each incoming A.G. can shape the makeup of his office, so the current cyber crimes unit is not necessarily a permanent fixture.
Gibbons added that his cyber crimes unit would also be a stand-alone division. He says the current unit is a branch of the Public Safety Division.