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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Authorities today urged people to contact detectives if they were victimized by a Los Angeles man who was arrested for allegedly engaging in ``online sexually explicit communication with a minor.''
Joseph Gatt, 50, was arrested at his home on April 6 by detectives from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.
Detectives served a search warrant at Gatt's home ``after they received information that Gatt had been engaged in online sexually explicit communication with a minor across state lines,'' the LAPD said in a statement.
Gatt was arrested on a felony warrant for ``contact with a minor for sexual offense,'' police said. Details of his alleged crime were not released.
The Los Angeles Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is comprised of over 100 federal and local affiliate agencies that detect and investigate child predators that use the Internet as a means to contact children or deal in child sexual abuse material.
Anyone who may have been victimized by Gatt was urged to call Detective Denos Amarantos at 562-624-4027. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 877-LAPD-247. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or use the website www.lacrimestoppers.org.