Over 140 arrests in massive California child sex crimes sweep

Authorities in California announced on Wednesday that they had arrested 141 people in just 7 days as part of a massive crackdown on child sex predators.

The “Protect the Innocent” operation involved 64 agencies spread across five counties in California.

The Los Angeles Police Department stated in a press release that “the goal of Operation Protect the Innocent was to conduct investigations and arrests by utilizing (CyberTips) received, identifying suspects for arrest, and contacting individuals on probation and/or parole.”

The Los Angeles Internet Crimes Against Children task force reached out to and identified hundreds of people who are either registered as sexual offenders or identified as suspects who are sought for their arrests between September 6 and September 12.

141 people were taken into custody as a result of warrants being served at homes in the counties of Santa Barbara, Orange, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Los Angeles.

110 people were arrested on suspicion of child pornography-related offenses. The others included pimping, statutory rape, child sex abuse, and parole infractions.

Authorities advise parents and guardians to monitor their children’s internet activity and the people they may be speaking with. Visit MissingKids.org’s NetSmartz page by clicking here for advice on having a conversation with your kids about the dangers of the internet and conversing with total strangers.

“By having parents and caregivers more involved, we can reduce the number of children victimized in this manner and help to keep the Los Angeles Region safer,” the LAPD noted.