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The Tucson Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit, Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC), and Sex Offender Registration and Tracking Unit (SORT) conducted a multi-agency, multi-day undercover operation focusing on sexual predators that prey on the children of our community.
Twelve agencies collaborated in the operation, including the Tucson Police Department (TPD), Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD), Marana Police Department (MPD), Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD), Department of Public Safety (DPS), Pima County Attorney’s Office (PCAO), Arizona Attorney General’s Office (AZAG), Chandler Police Department (CPD), Tempe Police Department (TPD), Phoenix Police Department (PPD), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshals Service (USMS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Phoenix Office and Utah Office, and the Zero Abuse Project.
The operation ran from January 31, 2024, through February 3, 2024. The agencies involved conducted multiple undercover internet chats with individuals claiming to be adults. The law enforcement personnel who were chatting online posed as juveniles ranging from 7 to 16 years old and agreed to meet the adults in Tucson to engage in sexual acts. At the end of the four-day operation, nine sexual predators were taken into custody without incident after they arrived to meet with the “juvenile” they were chatting with online. All nine suspects were booked into the Pima County Jail. They are facing various charges, to include: Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation (Class 3 Felony), Aggravated Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation (Class 2 Felony), Child Sex Trafficking (Class 2 Felony), Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor (Class 3 Felony). Solicitation to Commit Sexual Conduct with a Minor (Class 3 Felony), Pandering (Class 5 Felony), and Transportation of a Person for the Purposes of Prostitution (Class 5 Felony). Their booking photographs are attached below.
The Tucson Police Department would like to remind parents and guardians to monitor their children’s social media accounts, online friends, and internet history. Set parental controls, when necessary, and talk with children about the potential dangers of the internet and social media. Being aware of their internet activity is crucial for their safety.
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