Subscribe RH Love

Operation Atlas results in 15 arrests

by | Apr 26, 2019 | Latest

Collin County residents can rest a little easier after a joint online predator operation resulted in 15 individuals being arrested for online solicitation of a minor.

From April 10 through April 12, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety, conducted the online sting operation that directly targeted those who prey upon children.

“Investigators from 14 different federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies participated in Operation Atlas and their results were nothing short of phenomenal,” the Collin County Sheriff’s Office released in a statement.

Investigators executed numerous search and arrest warrants, along with rescuing a child victim in Arkansas. Investigators believe this child was used in the production of child pornography. In addition, investigators seized a large number of electronic devices utilized by these suspects to commit their crimes, which will undergo further forensic examination and additional arrests are expected.

“These criminals go to great lengths to hide their true identities as they seek to exploit our children using the worldwide web. The talent level, experience, and dedication of the Investigators and Analysts who worked on Operation Atlas are extraordinary and their ability to root out these criminals should be commended. There is no way to estimate the number of children saved by their efforts,” Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner said.

The following law enforcement agencies participated in Operation Atlas: United States Marshal’s Service-Eastern District of Texas, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Child Protective Investigations, Denton County Sheriff’s Office, Allen Police Department, Carrollton Police Department, Dallas Police Department, Farmers Branch Police Department, Irving Police Department, and Wylie Police Department.

“This operation serves as an excellent example of the type of success that routinely occurs here in North Texas when law enforcement agencies work together – in this case to protect our most precious resource, our children,” Skinner said.

From Staff Reports • [email protected]

For more stories like this subscribe in print or online.

Subscriber Love 728x90

0 Comments

Subscribe RH Love

Related News

Veteran honored with mortgage-free home

Veteran honored with mortgage-free home

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Semeli Toilolo shares his family’s gratitude to those in attendance at a ceremony Tuesday, Oct. 15 in front of his new mortgage-free home in Lavon. A crowd of community members filled the street to welcome home one of Lavon’s newest residents, the...

read more
In-Sync Exotics to host fall festival

In-Sync Exotics to host fall festival

Anakin and his friends will be enjoying pumpkins at In-Sync’s annual Pumpkin Toss and Fall Festival Saturday, Nov. 2. Dave Smith/In-Sync Exotics In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center is gearing up for its annual Fall Festival and Pumpkin Toss set to...

read more
Early voting is brisk

Early voting is brisk

Collin County has 100,000 more voters registered for the Tuesday, Nov. 5, general election than the number registered four years ago, Collin County Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet said. That number was up a similar amount from 2016, he said. “We’ve been very...

read more
Brown House is back with fall exhibits 

Brown House is back with fall exhibits 

The Brown House Welcome Center now has “Mourning and Funeral Customs of the Victorian Era,” on display. Highlighted are mourning wear and traditions surrounding death during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Sonia Duggan/The Wylie News The Brown House Visitor...

read more
Order photos