Combating Child Sexual Exploitation: Attorney General Bonta Announces Results of Operation Chatter Box
SAN DIEGO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the results of Operation Chatter Box, a multi-day enforcement operation conducted by the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force (SDHTTF) and Homeland Security Investigations’ Child Exploitation Group (HSI-CEG) to combat the sexual exploitation of children. From August 17 through August 25, undercover agents used online platforms to identify individuals allegedly seeking sexual contact with minors, while additional law enforcement personnel conducted compliance checks on individuals on active parole for sexual offenses involving minors. The operation resulted in 15 arrests, including 12 arrests for allegedly arranging to meet a minor for lewd or lascivious conduct and three arrests for alleged parole violations.
“The internet should never be a hunting ground for those who seek to exploit children. Operation Chatter Box sends an unmistakable message: if you go online looking to harm a child, law enforcement will be there waiting,” said Attorney General Bonta. “My office is proud to lead the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force and to work alongside our federal, state, and local partners to protect California’s children and hold predators accountable.”
“Protecting children from online sexual exploitation requires unified, sustained action across every level of law enforcement,” said Kevin Murphy, acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI San Diego. “Operation Chatter Box demonstrates the strength of our partnership with the California Department of Justice, the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, CDCR, and our federal, state, and local partners. HSI is proud to bring its investigative expertise and victim-centered approach to this joint effort to identify those who seek to harm children, disrupt exploitation, and help ensure offenders are held accountable.”
“CDCR’s Division of Adult Parole Operations is committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities," said DAPO Director Bryan Bishop. "Our partnership with the California Department of Justice is essential in combating child sexual exploitation and ensuring supervised persons under parole supervision remain accountable for their actions. Through thorough and targeted compliance checks and close coordination with DOJ and our law enforcement partners, we help identify risks, uphold public safety, and support efforts to prevent further harm.”
During the online undercover portion of the operation, agents used various online platforms to identify individuals seeking to sexually exploit children. Undercover agents communicated with suspects using personas presented as minors between the ages of 10 and 16. After suspects agreed to pay for or participate in sexual interactions with a minor and confirmed their intent to meet, they were directed to a predetermined location. Upon arriving at the location, 12 individuals were detained, arrested, and transported to San Diego Central Jail, where they were booked for arranging to meet a minor for the purpose of engaging in lewd or lascivious conduct.
As part of the operation, law enforcement personnel also conducted parole compliance checks on individuals who were on active parole with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for sexual offenses involving minors and required to register as sex offenders. Three individuals were found to be out of compliance with their parole conditions and were arrested. During one of the compliance checks, agents allegedly found one parolee possessing and viewing suspected child sexual abuse material at the time of the arrest.
Online platforms can provide offenders with access to children and create opportunities for grooming, exploitation, and abuse. Parents, caregivers, educators, and community members can help protect children by recognizing potential warning signs encouraging open conversations about online safety and reporting suspected exploitation to law enforcement. DOJ's Victims' Services Unit (VSU) works with victim service providers across the state to provide victim-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive support services to crime victims, including underserved, at-risk, underrepresented, and vulnerable populations. More information about VSU is available at oag.ca.gov/victimservices , by calling (877) 433-9069, or by visiting oag.ca.gov/victimservices/contact.
If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to access help and services. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. Additional information and resources to support survivors of human trafficking are available at oag.ca.gov/human-trafficking.
SDHTTF is a cooperative effort led by the California Department of Justice, alongside the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, Chula Vista Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, National City Police Department, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, San Diego City Attorney's Office, San Diego County District Attorney's Office, San Diego County Probation Department, San Diego County Sheriff's Office, San Diego Police Department, Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California. In addition to serving as the lead agency on SDHTTF, the California Department of Justice has three regional Human Trafficking and Sexual Predator Apprehension Teams across the state.
The charges described in this release are only allegations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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