In a span of just seven days, law enforcement agents in California arrested 141 people in a wide-ranging crackdown on child sex predators, authorities announced Wednesday.
The operation, dubbed “Protect the Innocent,” involved 64 agencies across five California counties.
“The goal of Operation Protect the Innocent was to conduct investigations and arrests by utilizing (CyberTips) received, identifying suspects for arrest, and contacting individuals on probation and/or parole,” the Los Angeles Police Department said in a news release.
From Sept. 6 through Sept. 12, members of the L.A. Internet Crimes Against Children task force contacted and identified hundreds of people who are either registered sex offenders or identified as suspects wanted for arrest.
Warrants were served at homes in L.A., Orange, San Bernardino, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, resulting in 141 arrests.
Among those arrests, 110 were for child pornography-related charges. Others included sexual abuse of a child, statutory rape, pimping, and parole violations.
Authorities urge parents and guardians to keep tabs on what their children do online and who they may be talking to. For tips on talking to your kids about the dangers of the internet and talking with strangers online, click here.
“By having parents and caregivers more involved, we can reduce the number of children victimized in this manner and help to keep the Los Angeles Region safer,” the Police Department said.