The Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) is a section of the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice in charge of enforcing federal criminal statutes relating to the exploitation of children and obscenity. Created in 1987, the section comprises approximately 15 attorneys who prosecute defendants who have violated federal child exploitation and obscenity laws and also assist the 93 United States Attorney Offices in investigations, trials, and appeals related to these offenses.
CEOS also has a number of Computer Forensic Specialist (CFS) within the High Technology Investigative Unit (HTIU) and, under the direction of a CEOS manager, they conduct online investigations and analysis of Internet technologies used to distribute obscene materials and child pornography.
Under the G. W. Bush Administration, this section was more active in pursuing adult obscenity than it is presently, and engaged in a number of unsuccessful prosecutions. It was successful in obtaining a conviction of director Max Hardcore in 2007 and Ira Isaacs in 2012.
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