Operation Cheshire Cat/Wonderland Club (Department of Justice, Criminal Division)
It is a clone of this request.
| Tracking # |
CRM-300675242 |
| Multi Request | Operation Cheshire Cat/Wonderland Club |
| Submitted | July 13, 2018 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Shawn Musgrave
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
All investigative records and files concerning Operation Cheshire Cat.
Operation Cheshire Cat is described as follows in a July 19, 2001 report from the Justice Department Office of the Inspector General (attached):
"[The Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS)] worked with the U.S. Customs Service on one such investigation, a multi-national effort entitled Operation Cheshire Cat culminating in 1998. It resulted in the arrest of 107 individuals in 12 countries who were dealing in Internet child pornography. This investigation focused on the Wonderland Club, an Internet pedophile ring, that required its members to submit at least 10,000 pornographic images of children for exchange with other members."
The investigation was also described as follows by then-Customs Service Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly in testimony before the House Committee on Ways and Means on April 13, 1999 (also attached):
"Operation Cheshire Cat, a Customs-initiated worldwide investigation into the diabolical world of international child pornography and child sexual exploitation, exposed to the world the dark side of the Internet - a side that is invasive, insidious and incalculable. This one investigative action uncovered an international alliance of approximately 200 sexual predators in 47 countries including Australia, Great Britain and the United States."
The investigation was also described as follows by Alan Gershel, Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division in testimony before the House SUBCOMMITTEE ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TRADE, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION in May 2000 (also attached):
"The CEOS works closely with United States Customs Service and its Cyber Smuggling Center, which has several undercover operations in effect. CEOS is working with the Customs Service on Operation Cheshire Cat, an international child pornography investigation. This operation was an outgrowth of the Orchid Club case to which I have referred in my written testimony. For the preparation for this project, CEOS worked with the Customs Service in 28 Federal districts to develop search warrant affidavits and provide other guidance. CEOS continues to provide technical assistance on this and other Customs Service child pornography projects."
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.
I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Shawn Musgrave
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 13, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Justice, Criminal Division
Dear Mr. Musgrave,
Please see the attached, which acknowledges receipt of your Freedom of Information Act and/or Privacy Act request. If you have any questions, please contact the FOIA/PA Unit at 202-616-0307 for further assistance.
Thank you,
FOIA/PA Unit
Criminal Division
U.S. Department of Justice
-
~WRD000
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 13, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #CRM-300675242.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 13, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #CRM-300675242.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Justice, Criminal Division
Dear Mr. Musgrave:
This responds to your status inquiries dated August 6, 2018; September 14, 2018, and October 8, 2018, concerning your pending Freedom of Information Act request received on July 16, 2018 for records concerning Operation Cheshire Cat (Wonderland Club).
Please be advised that your request is being processed on the complex track. On average, it takes the FOIA/PA Unit 203 days to process a complex request. Please note that 203 working days is the average, with fifty percent of cases being completed sooner, and the other fifty percent of cases requiring additional time. At this time, your request has been pending for 62 business days. A search for responsive records is pending.
Your continued patience is appreciated and we apologize for the delays in the processing of your request. Please feel free to follow up with the FOIA/PA Unit in sixty days if you would like another status update on your request.
Thank you,
FOIA/PA Unit
Criminal Division
U.S. Department of Justice
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 13, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #CRM-300675242.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Justice, Criminal Division
Dear Mr. Musgrave:
This responds to your status inquiry dated November 12, 2018 concerning your pending Freedom of Information Act request received on July 16, 2018 for records concerning Operation Cheshire Cat/Wonderland Club.
Please be advised that your request is being processed on the complex track. On average, it takes the FOIA/PA Unit 203 days to process a complex request. Please note that 203 working days is the average, with fifty percent of cases being completed sooner, and the other fifty percent of cases requiring additional time. At this time, your request has been pending for 94 business days. A search for responsive records is pending.
Your continued patience is appreciated and we apologize for the delays in the processing of your request. We would like to discuss the scope of your request in order to conduct a targeted search for the specific records that you are seeking. Please contact our Office at (202)616-0307 to discuss.
Thank you,
FOIA/PA Unit
Criminal Division
U.S. Department of Justice
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 13, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #CRM-300675242.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 13, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #CRM-300675242.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Justice, Criminal Division
Dear Mr. Musgrave:
This responds to your status inquiry dated December 31, 2018 concerning your pending Freedom of Information Act request received on July 16, 2018 for records concerning Operation Cheshire Cat/Wonderland Club.
Please be advised that your request is being processed on the complex track. On average, it takes the FOIA/PA Unit 203 days to process a complex request. Please note that 203 working days is the average, with fifty percent of cases being completed sooner, and the other fifty percent of cases requiring additional time. At this time, your request has been
pending for 146 business days. A search for responsive records is pending.
Your continued patience is appreciated and we apologize for the delays in the processing of your request. We would like to discuss the scope of your request in order to conduct a targeted search for the specific records that you are seeking. Please contact our Office at (202)616-0307 to discuss.
Thank you,
FOIA/PA Unit
Criminal Division
U.S. Department of Justice
-
~WRD000
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 13, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #CRM-300675242.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 13, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #CRM-300675242.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 13, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #CRM-300675242.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 13, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #CRM-300675242.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 13, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #CRM-300675242.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Justice, Criminal Division
Dear Mr. Musgrave:
This responds to your status inquiries dated April 15, May 15, and July 15, 2019 concerning your pending Freedom of Information Act request received on July 16, 2018 for records concerning the Operation Cheshire Cat/Wonderland Club.
Please be advised that your request is being processed on the complex track. On average, it takes the FOIA/PA Unit 203 days to process a complex request. At this time, your request has been pending for 251 business days. A search for responsive records is pending.
Your continued patience is appreciated and we apologize for the delays in the processing of your request. Please feel free to follow up with the FOIA/PA Unit in sixty days if you would like another status update on your request.
Sincerely,
FOIA/PA Unit
Criminal Division
U.S. Department of Justice
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 13, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #CRM-300675242.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 13, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #CRM-300675242.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 13, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #CRM-300675242.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Justice, Criminal Division
Dear Mr. Musgrave:
This email is in response to your FOIA request CRM-300675242 concerning Operation Cheshire Cat. Operation Cheshire Car was an international investigation which led to the arrest of over 100 individuals in 12 countries. Currently, your request for records would require the Criminal Division to conduct an unreasonably burdensome search and review. Accordingly, we ask that you narrow the scope of your request to limit the number of potentially responsive records. For example, choose a specific date range or names of defendants for which you would like responsive records. If you choose to provide us with a list of defendants, please note you will be required to submit the attached certification of ID or proof of death for those individuals.
If you have any further questions you may contact the FOIA/PA Unit at 202-616-0307.
Thank you,
FOIA/PA Unit
Criminal Division
U.S. Department of Justice
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Missing Information - DOJ 361
From: Department of Justice, Criminal Division
Hello,
Please see the attached, which is this Office's response to your request. If you have any questions, please contact the FOIA/PA Unit at 202-616-0307 for further assistance.
Thank you,
FOIA/PA Unit
Criminal Division
U.S. Department of Justice
From: Department of Justice, Criminal Division
Good afternoon Mr. Musgrave,
Attached please find our letter of inquiry as to whether or not you are still in the requested records. We would greatly appreciate you advising us in writing whether you would like this Office to continue processing your request.
Sincerely,
FOIA/PA Unit Staff
Criminal Division
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