The Irmo Police Department says it has arrested eight men in an undercover chat operation aimed at identifying online child predators.
IRMO, S.C. — The Irmo Police Department, in collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies, has arrested eight men in an undercover chat operation aimed at identifying online child predators.
Police say the operation, which was recently conducted, involved investigators posing as either children or adults with access to children on social media platforms. The goal was to intercept individuals attempting to engage in illicit activity with minors.
Over the course of the operation, police say multiple suspected predators made contact with the officers and arranged in-person meetings under the false belief they would be meeting a child.
When the suspects arrived at designated meeting spots, expecting to engage in sexual activity, they were instead met by law enforcement officers who arrested them on charges related to online child exploitation and attempting to meet a minor for sexual activity.
We are sending a CLEAR message: If you seek to harm our children, we will find you and you will be held accountable,” Irmo Police Chief Bobby Dale said.
