Madera County Operation 'To Catch a Predator' Yields 5 Arrests

By Anthony W. Haddad

Published 5 months ago on

January 27, 2025

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with local law enforcement, announced Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, the arrest of five suspects during a three-day operation targeting online sexual predators in Madera County. (Madera County Sheriff's Office)

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, in partnership with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol, announced Monday the results of Operation “To Catch a Predator,” the California Department of Justice said in a news release.

The operation, aimed at targeting sexual predators using the internet to exploit minors, resulted in five arrests.

The three-day operation, which ended on Jan. 18, involved the California Department of Justice’s Fresno Human Trafficking Sexual Predator Apprehension Team, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, and CHP.

“The exploitation of children will not be tolerated in California,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “The National Center of Missing and Exploited Children and the FBI estimate there are 500,000 online predators active each day.”

During the operation, undercover agents posed as minors on social media platforms and websites used by predators.

The suspects, after being identified, were arrested and booked into the Madera County Jail.

The suspects face charges relating to contacting a minor for sexual purposes and meeting with a minor for sexual purposes.

The Madera County District Attorney’s Office will prosecute the cases.

Got a Tip?

For assistance or resources related to human trafficking, individuals can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or visit oag.ca.gov/victimservices.

In case of immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

—

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

UP NEXT

Union Files Ethics Complaint After College Chancellor’s ‘Goddaughter’ Receives $161K In Contracts

Anthony W. Haddad,

Multimedia Journalist

Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.