The Apache Junction Police Department, in collaboration with multiple law enforcement agencies, successfully apprehended 14 people in an intricate sting operation targeting internet child abusers.
According to ABC15, the two-day operation, which began on January 10-11, brought together the FBI, Homeland Security, and local authorities to intercept adults seeking to engage in illegal actions with juveniles.
Each of the 14 suspects was said to have mysteriously gone from various cities to Apache Junction with the intention of meeting minors for sexual interactions.
This terrible information exemplifies the lengths sexual predators will go to exploit youngsters.
According to FOX10 Phoenix, firearms and drugs were seized during the raid.
ABC15 reports that all accused face 39 criminal charges connected to sexual assaults. The identities of those arrested have yet to be given to the public.
“The reason we’re here is because you can never have enough reminders to parents, guardians, teachers, medical… anybody, that these, our juveniles, our youth, are our most precious commodity, and we have to protect them,” Apache Junction Police Chief Michael Pooley told FOX10 Phoenix.