Information/Training Bulletin

DOJ SAFE Sex Offender Task Force / San Diego

LAW ENFORCEMENT ONLY
Not for distribution or viewing by members of the public.

A Seemingly Innocent Menace

An Introduction to “PEDO BEAR”
Icon of the 21st Century Sexual Predator
One of the unwritten rules of discussing casework I
learned early on in my investigative career was;
“Never Tell A Story Without Having Pictures To Show”.
So, first, some pictures of our subject matter, “Pedo
Bear”, Pedo being a shortened version of Pedophile.

What’s a Pedo Bear?

Pedo Bear started as an “internet meme”. An "internet
meme" refers to a image, catchphrase or concept that
spreads rapidly from person to person via the internet,
largely through internet-based email, blogs, forums,
imageboards, social networking sites and instant
messaging.

Pedo Bear originated in Japan as a meme associated with

a popular image board, known for his lecherous nature.
Pedo Bear grew famous for his “Seal of Approval” towards

prepubescent girls and his

catchphrase "is dat sum loli" in
referring to these girls in a sexually
provocative manner. His cute face
and non-threatening appearance
negate the truth of his sinister, much
darker side.

In fact, one of the things that make

him so popular is the controversy
surrounding his love of little girls.
While most people do not advocate
 this behavior, and some justify it as “black
humor”, the truth is that he should be
associated with the Internet and
pedophiles/sexually-preferential offenders
who reportedly use him to communicate their
interests in young children.

In our brief experience with Pedo Bear, it

appears that his image is used as a way for
pedophiles and sexually-preferential
offenders to identify each other. Pedo Bear’s
image may also be a means of identifying
locations on the internet, a type of computer
“bread crumb trail”.

Pedo Bear has grown from that and now

walks among us.

The San Diego Comic Con 2010 Experience

In July this year, the SD SAFE Task Force worked in an
undercover capacity at Comic Con, looking for those
elements that might wish to exploit and/or victimize
children. Pedo Bear was brought to our attention by a
member of security staff who knew what he represented.
At the time, no one on SAFE had ever heard of Pedo
Bear, but upon learning, we contacted the young man
walking around the convention center in the very
distinctive costume. He was carrying a large bag
imprinted “FREE CANDY”, and was giving away the
candy inside. He was accompanied by several other
individuals who were photographing him in the act of
giving away candy and walking around Comic Con.
Bottom line, the young man was identified and Pedo
Bear was immediately excluded from Comic Con.
SINCE THEN
Having now been introduced to Pedo Bear, some
research was in order. Pedo Bear was found to
be the internet phenomenon earlier described.
Of significant concern, documented in
photography on the internet (just Google-Images
“Pedo Bear”), was the use of an otherwise
family-friendly event for malignant means. Note
the pictures in this Bulletin from Comic Con;
Pedo Bear posing with a father and young
toddler; in front of the Comic Con signage
wearing his entry badge; with a young woman
standing outside the Child Care rooms; with his
“Free Candy” bag; and with an unsuspecting,
costumed girl.
 It became obvious, looking at the pictures and their context,
what the intent is. The dark tentacles of this underground
community, those that would make victims of our children,
teasingly reaching out into the world, disguised as innocence,
getting some perverse kick out of their disgusting joke on
unsuspecting society.

Just before the release of this Bulletin, I had occasion to make a

home visit to one of the sex offenders under my jurisdiction. His
conviction offense involves sexually assaultive behavior on a
child. He lives in a roommate situation with several other young,
single men in an otherwise normal, Mira Mesa neighborhood.
After completing my contact with him, I noticed, on the lower,
front windshield of one of his roommate’s cars, a familiar image.
Pedo Bear out in the open.
The intention of this bulletin is to make all law
enforcement aware of a possible indicator of
individuals who might have a predilection to sexually
inappropriate, or even, assaultive behavior. While not
an absolute, the image of Pedo Bear should be a sign
that you should take a closer look at the individual(s)
or situation you are dealing with, and perhaps his
presence will act as a building block towards
developing probable cause, or even a case.
And from photos on the internet, Comic Con is just
one of the events Pedo Bear attends. Be aware of your
community events and who might be lurking.
The SD SAFE Task Force is very interested in any contacts
you may have that involve Pedo Bear. My contact information
is below, and we would appreciate copies of any
documentation that comes from contacts in which Pedo Bear
was a factor.
I am also willing to share specific details of the individuals
referenced in this bulletin, if you contact me directly.
Remember, the SAFE Sex Offender TF is available to you.
Thanks to Fred Baclagan, Special Agent Supervisor,
California DOJ/CATCH-ID Theft Suppression for his
contributions about the history of Pedo Bear that he provided
to the SD SAFE Task Force for this Training Bulletin.

If you would like additional information, or have additional experience or input with the subject matter, please contact;
Jim W. Jones, SDPD Detective/Task Force Agent
DOJ SAFE Sex Offender Task Force
DOJ (858) 268-5409, HQ (619) 531-2251, Mobile (619) 876-9677
jim.jones@doj.ca.gov, jwjones@pd.sandiego.gov, jim.w.jones@leo.gov
LAW ENFORCEMENT ONLY
Not for distribution or viewing by members of the public.