MANCHESTER, Iowa — Authorities in Manchester are working hard to protect children from online predators with an initiative known as Operation Castle. The undercover operation, which began in September 2025, has already resulted in the arrest of more than a dozen suspects.
Operation Castle involves an undercover officer targeting predators online using public and dark web applications. However, officers are restricted from initiating conversations or suggesting any form of sexual activity or meetings, Manchester Police Chief Benjamin Davis said.
“When we serve the profiles, we literally do nothing,” Davis said. “We set the profile up. We use artificial intelligence to make the officer look like he’s a 14- or 15-year-old boy or girl, and we do not like any profiles.”
Officers involved in the operation receive specialized training in information gathering, criminal prosecution, evidence collection, and suspect management. “They actually teach them while they’re in the class,” Davis said, explaining that officers learn to set up fake profiles and navigate legal boundaries.
The operation has led to the arrest of 14 suspects within a six-month period, with 10 arrests resulting from arranged meet-ups. Some of those arrested include teachers and prominent business owners.
Davis also offered advice for parents on safeguarding their children from online predators. He emphasized the importance of parental involvement, encouraging parents to engage with their children about their online activities.
“Be involved,” Davis said. “The Internet’s not a terrible place. It’s a good place to connect and gather information and learn. It’s just, I think, as parents and as adults now, we have to be more involved with what our kids are doing online.”
Currently, Operation Castle is on a temporary break to allow the undercover officer some rest before resuming the operation.
