MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (FOX26) — A multi-agency online child predator operation in Merced led to 12 arrests on felony sex-related charges, including one registered sex offender from Merced County.
The Merced Police Department said its detectives worked with the Merced County Sheriff’s Department, Merced County District Attorney’s investigators, and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department during the operation on Thursday and Friday.
The task force targeted people who were looking to engage in illicit activities with underage children.
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Detectives posed as minors on social media apps and focused on individuals who initiated or engaged in sexually explicit conversations with people they believed to be underage.
They arranged in-person meetings for illicit purposes, and coordinated efforts resulted in the arrest of 12 people.
Six of those arrested were from Merced County, including one registered sex offender.
The remaining suspects traveled from surrounding areas, including Madera County, Fresno County, San Benito County, San Joaquin County, and Tulare County.
“The Merced Police Department and its partner agencies remain committed to protecting children from online exploitation and holding offenders accountable,” the department said in a statement. “We want our community to be a safe place for families, and that starts with protecting our children.”
Authorities urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and educate children about the dangers of online interactions.
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Anyone who suspects online child exploitation or inappropriate communication involving a minor is asked to report it to law enforcement immediately.
