Faith Based Film with Erik Estrada Finds Church Home

 Central Virginia is buzzing Hollywood with a new film Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown and the Safe Surfin’ Foundation is bringing to Lynchburg this summer.  The film is called ‘Finding Faith’ and is based on many actual events the Sheriff has witnessed in his years as a national leader on protecting children on the Internet.   

‘Finding Faith’ is currently casting for the film and welcoming volunteers in the community to participate.  The producers for the film hope to use as much local talent from the community in the production of the film. “It’s been amazing. The community is really getting behind this project,” Brown said.

Because the film is interwoven with a Christian message targeted towards teens the Sheriff has asked Thomas Road Baptist Church and more specifically their dynamic Youth Department to get involved as the host church for the film.  Pastor Jonathan Falwell has agreed. 

A Press Conference is scheduled: 

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Thomas Road Baptist Church, Bruner Hall

(Adjacent to the Main Auditorium)

11:30 AM

Those in attendance will be: Pastor Jonathan Falwell, Sheriff Mike Brown, Erik Estrada, Delegate Scott Garrett, Senator Steve Newman, members from the Internet Crimes Against Children’s task Force and ‘Finding Faith’ Executive Producer Scottie Ward.

 National Spokesman for the Safe Surfin’ Foundation, Erik Estrada has agreed to star in the film.  Estrada is best known for his leading role in the television series, “CHiP’s” and his fight against child predators on the Internet.  What you may not know, is that Estrada started out in faith based films.  In the 1970 film version of ‘The Cross and the Switchblade,’ Estrada made his film debut. 

 The goal for the film is to use a compelling story to educate parents and children on Internet safety in a non-intimidating way while challenging teens to live a purposeful life.

 Please visit: www.FindingFaithFilm.com for more information.

The film ‘Finding Faith’ is a full-length motion picture that will be filmed locally during the summer of 2012.  The film will feature many child advocates and celebrities including television legend Erik Estrada. The film will be distributed internationally with a projection of opening in over 100 theaters nation-wide in November 2012.  It will be a faith-based production in close association with Liberty University and Thomas Road Baptist Church.

Estrada along with other producers for the movie will be hosting an open casting call at Liberty University during the week of April 23^rd thru the 28^th.  Those interested in being in the film should visit www.FindingFaithFilm.com for more information.  No pre-registration is required.

“Bedford County was a pioneer with Internet education and Internet safety, we thought appropriate to film here,” Brown explained.  The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office was one of the nation’s first selected divisions for the Internet Against Crimes Task Forces.

“We are excited about this movie and the opportunity to use a compelling story on film to educate parents and children on Internet safety in a non-intimidating way,” Brown said.

The producers for the film hope to cast the majority of the supporting roles from the Lynchburg area.  “We have an immense amount of talent right here.  It’s important we have the community participate, especially the young people,” Brown said, “many scenes in the film require teenagers being teenagers.”

Brown hopes to partner with area businesses for help in the production and wants the beauty and historical significance of the area to be rooted in the film.

Jack McGee is a famous television and film character actor.  He has appeared in over 100 films and television series.

McGee is perhaps best known as Chief Jerry Reilly on the television series ‘Rescue Me.’ He has appeared in such films as ‘Lethal Weapon 2,’ Born on the Fourth of July,’ Back Draft’ and ‘Coyote Ugly.’

McGee became a firefighter for the New York City Fire Department in order to pursue his acting career.

We are proud to announce that Jack McGee is standing with us in helping protect children on the Internet.

Captain ‘WILD’ Bill Wichrowski

Captain’s Bill’s motto is “hard work and honesty,” though he has been known to use unconventional methods — that partly explain the nickname “Wild” — to keep his crew going strong. The same motto can be said about law enforcement investigators that work tirelessly to protect our children from Internet predators.

Bill is his eighth season as the Captain of the ‘Kodiac’ in the successful reality program from the Discovery Chanel, ‘Deadliest Catch.’ The show has filmed over 100 episodes and currently airs in over 150 countries.

The ‘Deadliest Catch’ can be a comparable term when investigating child predators. The Safe Surfin’ Foundation is proud to have this rebel Captain aboard its ship in protecting kids against Internet dangers.

The Oak Hill Police Department received the “Cop in a Box” award Friday.

It comes from the Safe Surfin’ Foundation, an organization aimed at bringing tools to Internet safety programs across the country as online predators increase. Their newest tool, “Cop in a Box” offers a cost-effective way to protect children using technology. This computer system helps police monitor sexual predators that are targeting children online. Moose International also helps fund the program.

“This equipment, in particular, is a key tool to fight and the bottom line of that fight is to rescue children, to get these children out of environments where they’re being raped and tortured,” said Sgt. David Eldridge with the West Virginia State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Oak Hill Police Chief Mike Whisman said, “This is going to enable us, I believe, to see what we haven’t seen before, dig into these cases, get the information we need, get the evidence that’s required.”

In West Virginia alone, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force has more than 1,000 targeted child predators.

March 21, 2012. The Safe Surfin’ Foundation conducted a two-day symposium at the Carroll County High School in Central Virginia for nearly 3,000 participants. The response was impressive as not only students and teachers attended but concerned parents and leaders from the community.

“The attendance doesn’t really shock me considering the seriousness of the epidemic we are children are facing each day when they go online,” says Ron Porter of the Safe Surfin’ Foundation.

Porter made his presentation to the parents in the community encouraging them to become more involved in their children’s online world. “I can’t make a parent do something but I can suggest the techniques,” said Porter.
Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Smith with ten-years experience in child Internet safety was the primary instructor for all the students in Grades 2-12.

Smith warned the crowd of teenagers, “Children are actually taking images of themselves and sending them to a friend or boyfriend or girlfriend and not realizing that picture is out there as a fingerprint for the rest of their lives.”

A ‘special addition’ was the introduction of “A girl named Danielle”, Safe Surfin’s Teen Victim spokesperson, who addressed the middle-age and high school students.

Danielle is helping law enforcement in the fight against internet crimes, but two years ago, then Danielle, 14, was the victim of an online predator. Wade shared her terrifying tale with Carroll County High School students Friday morning. Nearly all of them are active on social media.

Safe Surfin’ Foundation would like to thank the Officers of the Moose International fraternal organization’s, Lodge # 733, of Galax, Virginia for participating and supporting these events. “Their dedication to this community should be commended,” Porter said during a panel discussion with local law enforcement officials, as well as School officials, and the Carroll County Commonwealth Attorney.

The mid-year convention of the State’s Moose association welcomed in members of the Safe Surfin group to address the conference. The Safe Surfin group helps inform communities to the dangers of internet sexual predators.

The Moose Fraternal Organization also purchased Cop in a Box packages to help Police Departments in the state.

More than four hundred members attended the conference.

Scott has been in the entertainment business for over 25 years.  He is the co-creator of many television show concepts including SALVAGE WARS on the  DISCOVERY Channel, the new reality concept in development for I.C.A.C. (Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force) and the SAFE SURFIN’ FOUNDATION.

He has a vast knowledge of the film and television industry, public relations, and major live event promotions.Scott has worked in many arenas with regards to Anti Human Trafficking task forces, Kidnap for ransom, and rescue cases out of Mexico, South America and Europe.

He has an analyst background and training with regards to Anti Domestic Terrorism and threat assessment in its current construct here in the United States. He is a Firefighter/Paramedic where he received his training at The Michigan State Police HAZ-MAT Training Center, an instructor for E.M.T. and Paramedic classes with being a Field Training Officer with his last assignment.

Sheriff Mike Brown and the Safe Surfin’ Foundation are pleased to announce a significant advancement to the Safe Surfin’ team.  Lt. Daryl Williams has agreed to liaison with Safe Surfin’ on the west coast and represent the organization on its many program endeavors.

“With our continued growth and national exposure, Safe Surfin’ is delighted Lt. Williams has agreed to represent our efforts and programs in protecting children on the west coast,” said Sheriff Mike Brown.  Already, Williams is working on a California Internet safety school tour scheduled in late May 2012.

Williams, is a Certified Law Enforcement Educator and Trainer, training law enforcement in a broad range of specialties throughout the United States.  He also serves as a consultant, together with actor Erik Estrada, promoting the U.S. Justice Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) to schools.

He is the founder of Protective Partners & Associates, an 11 year executive-protection company providing highly-qualified, off-duty law enforcement officers specializing in executive protection for dignitaries, celebrities, and special events.

Williams has produced shows in Las Vegas and was the security consultant for the 2000 DNC in Los Angeles.