LOS ANGELES, CA — More than 300 people were arrested in a two-week Southern California enforcement operation aimed at internet-facilitated child exploitation crimes, police said Thursday. The effort, known as Operation Firewall, also led to the rescue of 40 children, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Investigators said the sweep covered five counties and involved 112 law enforcement partners working under the LAPD Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program.
What investigators say they targeted
Authorities said the operation focused on online offenses including child sexual abuse material, human trafficking, grooming, and attempts to lure minors into sexual encounters. Undercover investigators used multiple social media platforms during the probe, followed by search warrants and arrest warrants across the region.
The LAPD said the effort was meant both to arrest suspected predators and to identify children being abused or exploited.
Arrests, charges and a major prison sentence
Officials said Operation Firewall produced 341 arrests in total. Charges reported in the case set included production, possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material; lewd acts with a child; contacting a minor for sexual purposes; human trafficking; failure to register as a sex offender; and parole and probation violations…