PHOENIX, Ariz. — In a sweeping operation to safeguard children from online exploitation, Arizona authorities arrested 72 individuals suspected of targeting minors through the internet. The arrests were part of Operation Safe Online Summer, a statewide sting carried out in April and revealed publicly during a news briefing on Wednesday.
Led by the Phoenix Police Department and the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the effort involved 23 local, state, and federal agencies, including the FBI, Tucson Police Department, and several Valley law enforcement divisions.
“We are sending a clear message,” said Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes. “If you target children online, we will find you, and we will protect our kids.”
Inside the Operation: How the Crackdown Was Conducted
Investigators pursued nearly 150 leads from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and executed 243 search warrants during the sting. Authorities examined more than 1,000 electronic devices and successfully identified 25 minors who were actively being exploited.
Mayes also called on social media companies to increase efforts in preventing predators from gaining access to children, pointing out that tech platforms play a key role in enabling — or preventing — these crimes.
County Prosecutor, Parents Urged to Stay Vigilant
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell also spoke during the announcement, urging parents to take an active role in their children’s digital lives. She encouraged families to use resources available on her office’s website, including a “Report, don’t repost” initiative that educates the public on how to respond to disturbing content.
Mitchell emphasized that children need to feel safe when reporting concerning behavior.
“They need someone who will stay calm, listen without judgment, and take action by reporting to law enforcement,” she said.
Authorities hope the results of Operation Safe Online Summer serve both as a deterrent to predators and a wake-up call for families to engage more actively in protecting their children online.
