A multi-agency operation has led to the arrest of 16 people accused of trying to prey on children online, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation announced Thursday.
The four-day undercover operation happened in Nashville, North Carolina, in February, officials said. Over 150 officers from 13 law enforcement agencies were involved. Nashville is about 45 miles east of Raleigh.
The officers were “communicating with suspects online as part of proactive efforts to intercept criminal behavior before it reached real children,” a statement read. Officials say the suspects thought they were communicating with children under the age of 16.
As a result, 16 people were arrested and over 80 charges have been filed, the SBI said, including sexual exploitation of a minor, solicitation of a child by computer, attempted statutory rape, indecent liberties with a child, firearms violations, and dissemination of obscenity to a minor.
“This operation demonstrates the power of teamwork and shared commitment across jurisdictions,” said Nashville Police Chief Caleb Shockley. “Every one of these agencies came together with one goal — to protect children, and remove dangerous individuals from our communities.”
Multiple police departments and sheriff’s offices from around North Carolina, along with the SBI, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division and Homeland Security Investigations participated in the operation.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.
Authorities urge parents and guardians to “remain vigilant about their children’s online activity and to report any suspected exploitation immediately to local authorities or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.org.”
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