BATON ROUGE, La. — Special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans are seeking the public’s help to identify information regarding an ongoing child sexual exploitation investigation involving a Baton Rouge man who worked as a building inspector contractor for the city of Baton Rouge.
On May 20, Blake Joseph Steiner was arrested by HSI Baton Rouge, with the assistance of the Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, after an investigation revealed he was allegedly distributing child sexual abuse material.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free tip line at 877-4-HSI-TIP. Callers may remain anonymous.
HSI takes a victim-centered approach to child exploitation investigations by working to identify, rescue and stabilize victims. HSI works in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, ICAC partners, and other federal, state and local agencies to help solve cases and rescue sexually exploited children. You can report suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 800-THE-LOST.
HSI is a founding member of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
One of HSI’s top priorities is to protect the public from crimes of victimization, and HSI’s child exploitation investigations program is a central component of this mission set. Further, HSI is recognized as a global leader in this investigative discipline. The directorate is committed to utilizing its vast authorities, international footprint, and strong government and nongovernment partnerships to identify and rescue child victims; identify and apprehend offenders; prevent transnational child sexual abuse; and help make the internet a safer place for children.
About HSI
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce consists of over 10,000 employees, assigned to 235 offices within the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI's international presence represents the Department of Homeland Security’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.