Southern California authorities arrest over 250 alleged child predators in massive operation

Multiple Southern California law enforcement agencies announced this week that they banded together for a massive joint operation that resulted in the arrests of over 250 alleged child predators.

The sting, dubbed "Operation Spring Cleaning," was conducted last month over a two-week period and was led by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Law enforcement officers from Orange, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties also participated. 

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said many of the 265 people arrested held "positions of trust within their communities," that placed them in contact with children, per CBS News.

"The goal was to identify and arrest predators who were using the internet to sexually exploit children and to rescue young victims from abuse," McDonnell said in a press conference Wednesday.

McDonnell also explained how the operation was separated into two stages. The first stage had law enforcement officers working undercover on social media platforms to find people who were attempting to lure minors. The second phase was tracking down the suspects with search warrants. 

Approximately 1,000 parents were also given internet safety training in the operation, and 27 children were rescued.

"These aren't just numbers," McDonnell said. "These are lives saved, futures restored and predators removed from our neighborhoods."

The suspects have been charged with crimes such as possession, distribution, or production of child sexual abuse material, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14 years of age, human trafficking and contact or attempt to contact a minor for sex, among others.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.