Thirteen people were arrested and are facing numerous felony charges connected to a multi-agency online predator crackdown, according to the Turlock Police Department. The operation, led by Turlock police, targeted people who were attempting to engage in illicit activities with underage children, the agency said.Of the 13 arrested, four were Turlock residents while others traveled from communities throughout California including Modesto, Atwater, Ceres, Fresno, Merced, Oakdale, Stockton and San Francisco, police said. A registered sex offender was among the 13 arrested, according to police. Twelve of those arrested were booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center. The 13th suspect was booked into the Sacramento County Jail. “Every arrest represents someone who intended to exploit a child. These operations are about identifying those individuals before they have the opportunity to harm a victim,” Turlock Police Capt. Miguel Pacheco said in a statement. “I’m incredibly proud of the work our detectives and partner agencies put into this operation and their continued commitment to protecting children.” The investigation remains active, as additional arrests may occur, police said. “Every conversation intercepted is one that never reached a real child,” Turlock police detective Gina Giovacchini said in a statement. “Operations like this don’t happen alone. They require planning, coordination, and strong partnerships, and we’re grateful for every agency that helped make this operation possible.” Anyone with information about the investigation is encouraged to contact Giovacchini at 209-668-6539. The public can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s tip line at 209-668-5550 extension 6780. Tips can also be emailed at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.Callers can also leave an anonymous tip by call Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636 or 866-602-7463. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Thirteen people were arrested and are facing numerous felony charges connected to a multi-agency online predator crackdown, according to the Turlock Police Department.
The operation, led by Turlock police, targeted people who were attempting to engage in illicit activities with underage children, the agency said.
Of the 13 arrested, four were Turlock residents while others traveled from communities throughout California including Modesto, Atwater, Ceres, Fresno, Merced, Oakdale, Stockton and San Francisco, police said.
A registered sex offender was among the 13 arrested, according to police.
Twelve of those arrested were booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center. The 13th suspect was booked into the Sacramento County Jail.
“Every arrest represents someone who intended to exploit a child. These operations are about identifying those individuals before they have the opportunity to harm a victim,” Turlock Police Capt. Miguel Pacheco said in a statement. “I’m incredibly proud of the work our detectives and partner agencies put into this operation and their continued commitment to protecting children.”
The investigation remains active, as additional arrests may occur, police said.
“Every conversation intercepted is one that never reached a real child,” Turlock police detective Gina Giovacchini said in a statement. “Operations like this don’t happen alone. They require planning, coordination, and strong partnerships, and we’re grateful for every agency that helped make this operation possible.”
Anyone with information about the investigation is encouraged to contact Giovacchini at 209-668-6539. The public can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s tip line at 209-668-5550 extension 6780. Tips can also be emailed at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.
Callers can also leave an anonymous tip by call Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636 or 866-602-7463.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
