Exactly what IS the Dark Web, anyway?  We hear so much about it these days, especially when it comes to fraud and ID theft.

Richland police say a 19-year-old man used it to access child porn, and it's a frightening thought. The Dark Web is generally described as a part of the internet that's never usually seen by regular users, whether people or businesses.

The Dark Web lurks on the fringes. It's IP addresses that are hidden or masked, often using fake locations. It's secret websites, black market trading and deals, and experts say it's only accessible by using a 'special' internet browser. Sounds intimidating, huh?

The Dark Web not only contains most ID fraud activity, but everything from child porn to what are called 'snuff' films', or movies that depict real murders.

Police say Juan Gutierrez Cardenas, who was booked last week on a wide variety of child porn charges, used the Dark Web to access his child porn. The Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children team says they began monitoring his activity online after getting a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

These groups have special webmasters who are able to pore through the Dark Web, and find such individuals. Richland police raided his home and seized computer equipment and other electronic devices. Officials are not sure if he will be tried in Benton County or Federal Court, due to the widespread nature of his crimes.

He reportedly admitted to police during his interview that he had a sexual interest in children and porn, and used elaborate methods to mask or hide his identity. Sounds like something right out of Criminal Minds.

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