Authorities have arrested 16 suspects in Arizona in connection with child sex crimes and human trafficking.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, the department worked with other law enforcement agencies to conduct a covert operation targeting “child sex crimes and human trafficking claims” called the “Tangled Web Operation.”
According to FOX 10, in carrying out the operation, undercover agents placed ads on websites “often searched by suspects seeking illegal sex,” the agency said.
“The suspect was arrested after allegedly soliciting and/or brokering various sex trades,” police said.
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“Phoenix Police Department regularly engages in these types of activities with local, state, and federal partners to provide ongoing support to reduce demand that fosters child sex trafficking and child exploitation in our communities. “The following suspects have been arrested for soliciting various sexual acts from minors.”
For weeks, detectives posed as minors online and engaged in conversations with suspects.
“Usually at the end of the conversation, they may want to meet somewhere and follow through on something that has already been suggested or asked,” said Phoenix Police Sergeant Melissa Solis.
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The Phoenix Police Department was assisted by the Tempe and Mesa Police Departments, the FBI, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, and the Department of Homeland Security.
The agency frequently conducts child sex sting operations, indicating that there are enough cases of individuals soliciting sex from minors.
“We don’t have enough time to do this. These people need to be taken off the streets. Unfortunately, incidents like this and operations like this catch them before they can sacrifice a child.” It helps,” Solis said.
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According to Solis, suspects in these crimes often go unnoticed by people in their lives.
“These people have regular jobs, white-collar and blue-collar jobs, so you don’t know who they are. To catch them, you need to make them perform the act.