35 suspected child sex offenders arrested in FBI raids across Michigan
DETROIT (WJBK) - The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Wednesday that more than 2,300 suspected online child sex offenders were arrested across the country. State officials said 35 of them were from Michigan.
The DOJ announced the arrest from operation "Broken Heart". The three-month, nationwide operation was conducted by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces.
According to the DOJ, they identified 195 offenders who produced child porn or committed child sexual abuse and found 383 children who were victims.
Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw told FOX 2 that of the 2,300 arrests, 35 of them were made in Michigan.
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Operation Broken heart took place in March, April, and May and task forces investigated more than 25,000 complaints of crimes against children. It targeted suspects who (1) produce, distribute, receive and possess child pornography; (2) engage in online enticement of children for sexual purposes; (3) engage in the sex trafficking of children; and (4) travel across state lines or to foreign countries and sexually abuse children.
"No child should ever have to endure sexual abuse," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. "And yet, in recent years, certain forms of modern technology have facilitated the spread of child pornography and created greater incentives for its production. We at the Department of Justice are determined to strike back against these repugnant crimes. It is shocking and very sad that in this one operation, we have arrested more than 2,300 alleged child predators and investigated some 25,200 sexual abuse complaints. Any would-be criminal should be warned: this Department will remain relentless in hunting down those who victimize our children."