Fort Worth police say 10 men were arrested during a three-day operation targeting people accused of attempting to prey on children online.
The arrests happened between April 1 and April 3 as part of what officials are calling “operation spring cleaning.” Police said the investigation involved nonstop work and coordination with local and federal partners.
According to Fort Worth police, investigators used online platforms to identify and track individuals who were allegedly seeking sexual contact with children under 17.
Officer Daniel Segura said the effort reflects an ongoing commitment to protecting children.
“We are continuously working in protecting our young children,” Segura said.
He added that dedicated officers focus full time on monitoring potential threats.
“Those officers are assigned full time to keep an eye on these suspects and these people who want to harm our children and we’re going to go after them,” Segura said.
Authorities warn that predators often take time to build trust before attempting to meet in person. In some cases, they may suggest public places, such as parks, to make the interaction seem more normal.
Technology experts say the risks are evolving as offenders adopt new tools.
Enrique Lara, a web development and technology expert, said even young children are already exposed to digital platforms.
“I have a four-year-old kid and he’s already using some of this technology. However, as a parent I need to vigilant of the things that he’s doing watching,” Lara said.
Lara said some offenders may use artificial intelligence to disguise their identity.
“They think that they are talking with a peer because they look like a peer,” Lara said.
Despite the risks, experts say parents have significant control over their children’s digital environments.
“The device you give to you children is not a gift, it’s a responsibility,” Lara said. “So when you have something you have the control, you have the timing on what kind of apps you can install on your phone and you need to supervise.”
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.
