12 arrested in online child predator sting operation out of Merced

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- 12 men are present sitting successful a cell, alternatively of down a screen. They're suspected of trying to put interaction with imaginable victims online who they thought were children.

"During this operation, we had detectives airs arsenic minors. Usually, they were nether the property of 14," says Brandon Vazquez, Merced Police Department Detective.

Merced Police led a month-long multi-agency sting. Investigators accidental the suspects engaged successful sexually explicit conversations, past arranged to conscionable successful person. When the fishy arrived astatine the gathering place, they were met with authorities prepared to instrumentality them into custody.

Six of the suspects were from Merced County, but the different six traveled from retired of the country to conscionable their unfortunate successful Merced; immoderate came from arsenic acold distant arsenic Tulare and San Benito Counties.

"These individuals had clearer intent. They demonstrated that they were successful information trying to perpetrate these crimes," says Vazquez.

Police accidental these suspects utilized societal media platforms specified arsenic Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat to lure underage boys and girls.

Detective Vazquez says adjacent much disturbing, online predators are getting much bold, adjacent erstwhile their expected 'victim' reveals their young age.

"Our detectives did marque it very, precise wide that they were nether the property of 14, that they were 13, and they were minors. What was astonishing to america was that these individuals continued to person conversations with these minors, knowing their age," says Vazquez.

The suspects scope successful property from 21 to astir 60 years old. One is already a registered enactment offender.

Each person been booked into Merced County Jail and are present facing assorted felony sex-related charges.

"Ultimately, the Merced Police Department wants to make a harmless situation for our families, and that starts with protecting our children," says Vazquez.

The Merced Police Department is urging parents to stay vigilant and show their children's online enactment and to amended their children astir the dangers of online interactions, particularly with strangers.

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