Police detectives posed as teens in online applications and websites where they communicated with multiple people who thought that they were minors.
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — Four men are in custody after a recent Noblesville Police Department child predator sting.
From July 13-16, Noblesville police officers carried out a targeted online predator investigation to identify and catch people planning to exploit minors.
Throughout the week, the police department said its specially trained detectives “posed as juveniles between the age of 13-15.” According to the release from the department, they posed as teens in online applications and websites where they communicated with multiple people who thought that they were minors.
Noblesville police officers then performed an operation Thursday where they arrested four men who allegedly arranged meetings and demonstrated “intent to engage in unlawful sexual activity with the perceived minor,” according to the release.
“The women and men of the Noblesville Police are committed to the safety of children. With the full support and dedication of the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, we will bring all resources to bear and work tirelessly to identify, arrest and prosecute these child predators to the fullest extent of the law,” Chief Brad Arnold said in a statement.
All four of the men, ages 33-44, now face preliminary charges of sexual misconduct with a minor (attempted) or the promotion of child sex trafficking.
(NOTE: 13News has a policy to not name suspect until they have been formally charged.)
No other information on the sting or operation was shared by police.
