The Phoenix Police Department, in collaboration with the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and a host of other law enforcement agencies, has apprehended over 70 individuals alleged to be child predators. This crackdown, dubbed Operation Safe Online Summer, targeted those involved in child exploitation and the distribution of related illicit material, as confirmed by a report from the City of Phoenix’s official newsroom.
In a statement obtained by the same source, Phoenix Police Investigations Division Assistant Chief Ed DeCastro expressed the department’s dedication to child safety, stating, “Our department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our children and will take appropriate actions to stop predators in our communities.” The operation, which initially launched in April 2025, has been active throughout the month, with the indictments and arrests still ongoing.
The efficacy and scale of Operation SOS are evident in the numbers: 132 investigations initiated, 139 NCMEC CyberTips cleared, and 243 search warrants authored. Arrests included 9 “hands-on” offenders, 12 registered sex offenders, and the identification of 14 newly discovered child victims, among others. The operation also included thorough scrutiny of over 1,000 devices and an excess of 60 terabytes of data, indicative of the widespread issue that continues to plague the digital sphere…