Authorities announced today that 205 arrests were made during “Operation Online Guardian,” a multidisciplinary task force targeting child sex offenders who sexually exploit minors over the Internet.
The arrests were announced during a news conference at Los Angeles Police Department headquarters in downtown Los Angeles.
The operation took place between August 12 and 23 and involved officers from Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties assigned to the Los Angeles Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
“The mission of the ICAC Task Force Program is to assist local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in investigating Internet-related crimes against our youth,” LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said during the press conference.
Operation Online Guardian was conducted in two phases, Hamilton said. The first phase involved proactive undercover investigations on various social media platforms. The second phase involved multiple search warrants across the five counties, as well as arrest warrants.
“Thanks to their diligent efforts, vulnerable children were saved from further abuse and victims silenced by the horrific crimes of child sexual abuse were given their voices back,” Hamilton said.
Specific arrest figures for individual counties were not immediately available.
Researchers took the opportunity to urge parents and caregivers to educate themselves and their children about the dangers of the Internet, monitor their children’s Internet use and always maintain an open dialogue.
“As parents of two teenage daughters, we need to be proactive in talking to our children about internet safety,” said Glendale Police Chief Manuel Cid.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has more information, including Internet safety tips and activities.
