Northern California Computer Crimes Task Force

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Program Director Edward S. Berberian, Jr. BIO

The Northern California Computer Crimes Task Force (NC3TF) was formed in June of 2000. NC3TF started with five core counties which included Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano and Contra Costa County. Throughout the years we have expanded our service area and have added Lake, Mendocino, Tehama, Shasta, Trinity, Humboldt, Siskiyou and Del Norte counties. NC3TF main operation is located in Napa County with a satellite office in Shasta County. We are one of five State of California Computer Crimes Task Forces. The District Attorneys in the state, along with top law enforcement personnel, and representatives of the high technology industry recognized the need for a unit of specially trained investigators to combat the growing problem of high technology crime and identity theft.

NC³TF is responsible for the investigation, apprehension of the responsibles and the recovery of stolen property for the following offenses:

• Computer related crimes as designated in PC 502. These include Major thefts, robberies and embezzlements of technology hardware, software and intellectual property.
  
  
• Telecommunications fraud.
  
  
• Child Pornography, (PC 311) when accomplished with a computer and / or Internet usage.
  
  
• Gray market manufacturing, sales and possession of counterfeit technology products.
  
  
• Money laundering when accomplished with the use of a computer or electronic banking transfer.
  
  
• Unlawful access, destruction of, or unauthorized entry into use of private, corporate or government computers and networks.
  
  
• Identity Theft.
  
  

NC³TF is comprised of highly skilled investigators from Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Lake, Humboldt, Shasta, and Contra Costa Counties. There are currently 12 full time investigators and several part time investigators assigned to the Task Force. They average 18 years in law enforcement and 14 years of investigation experience. These investigators are supported by the very best attorneys who are trained in the prosecution of high technology crime.

In addition to the criminal investigations, NC³TF is charged with providing law enforcement personnel and industry representatives training in a variety of topics. These topics range from basic investigation of high technology crime, the identification and prevention of high technology crime and identity theft.