The Shadow
The Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office recently partnered with the Covington Moose Lodge and the SafeSurfin Foundation. The Covington Moose donated a laptop computer that would be used in the detection, location and prosecution of sexual predators in the investigation of Internet Crimes Against Children.
On August 2, 2024 Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office began a conversation with an individual that was later identified as James A. Janis. At the time Janis believed he was conversing with a 13 year old minor and attempted to solicit for sexual purposes. During this conversation Janis mentioned that he had sexual interests in another 13 year old that he is family friends with, but he needed the investigators assistance with grooming and soliciting the minor. Janis, also mentioned a 15 year old that worked at an ice cream store that he owned.
Janis then sent photos of young girls that were at a community event and made statements about what he wanted to do to them.
More investigative work led our investigators to find out that Janis was located in Lawton, Oklahoma. Investigators then contacted the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigations and advised them about the investigation.
The decision was made to send an Alleghany County Investigator to Oklahoma to assist the authorities with a search warrant at Janis’ residence. Janis was arrested and is facing 25 years to life for his crimes.
The search warrant led to the identification of past and potentially future victims of Janis. These victims were contacted by Oklahoma officials.
The Alleghany County Investigator was afforded the opportunity to meet Oklahoma Governor Stitt, who stated that he was thankful for the detection and arrest of Janis.
Sheriff Moore would like to thank the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigations along with the other local agencies that were involved with the search warrant.
Moore also stated that “this could easily have happened in Alleghany County”. “it is our intent to put an end to violent crime that is directed towards our children in Alleghany County”.
Moore further advises parents to take interest in what your children are viewing on the internet.
Please notify the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office if you or anyone you know is in need of assistance regarding any crime or potential crime that has been committed.
