Fbi Using Cell Phones To Track Criminals

The FBI used cell phone tracking to gather evidence which lead to a conviction for a rogue New York City cop. According to an article by Peter J. Sampson, The Record (Hackensack N.J.), the FBI used a computer mapping program and call detail logs obtained from Sprint Nextel to track the activities of Kelvin L. Jones, suspected of a $1 Million perfume heist. The FBI was able to track Jones movement on the day of the Carlstadt robbery using cell phone records, which proved to be highly incriminating along with other evidence. Because of his experience and training as a police officer, Jones knew how to cover his tracks, even using a prepaid anonymous cell phone. However, because of the cell phone tracking evidence, Jones was convicted last month.

FBI Using Cell Phones to Track Criminals

Back in late 2009, the FBI formed the Cellular Analysis and Survey Team (CAST). FBI Special Agent William B. Shute testified at Jones trial in Newark last month stating that CAST was created because the need has been overwhelming across the country for this type of evidence. CAST provides technical assistance, case support and training to federal, state and local law enforcement officers around the nation, he said. The FBI declined to comment on just how the system works, stating that they dont give information about investigative techniques.

Cell phone tracking of criminals is becoming more common. With the newest technology and GPS enabled cell phones, law enforcement is more easily able to track activities on cell phones, even those anonymous pre-paid cell phones. Civil liberty groups, privacy advocates, civil libertarians and some federal judges are up in arms about it, claiming that most cell phone tracking is done without a warrant for probable cause. In Sampsons article, Kevin Bankston, a senior staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, is quoted saying the governments reliance on warrantless cell tracking is cause for alarm. People should be concerned because, whether they realize it or not, theyre carrying a tracking device in their pocket, Bankston said. And phone companies are collecting data about where your phone is located, even when youre not using it, that can reveal a really intimate portrait of how you spend your days and nights, where you go, who you associate with. This is a new cache of highly sensitive information and we think that being able to go into the past and see everywhere youve been based on your cell phones location is just as invasive as, say, wiretapping your phone calls, which clearly is protected against by the Fourth Amendment.

What is the law on cell phone tracking? The Stored Communications Act of 1986 does allow prosecutors to obtain court orders for cell site logs. All that is need is to show that the tracking information is relevant and material to an ongoing criminal investigation. Probable cause isnt even needed. The ACLU and the EFF say they dont object to law enforcement using cell-tracking records as long as they get a warrant first. The law is a bit vague, and the courts are kicking it back down to lower levels. Until either the Supreme Court rules on the issue or Congress steps in and clarifies the law, it will continue to be a gray area.

Are you concerned about Big Brother watching? Do you care if your cell phone is being tracked, even when its off? Doesnt this remind you of the movie with Gene Hackman and Will Smith, Enemy of the People? However on one hand, knowing your cell phone can be tracked in an emergency or when stolen, is a good thing. Knowing you can be traced at all times of the day and night seems a bit invasive. Whats your take on this? Let me know.