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

By Anthony W. Haddad

Published 3 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?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

California Senator Will Make Historic Appearance at Fresno City College Commencement

DON'T MISS

Gaza Ceasefire Talks in Cairo Near ‘Significant Breakthrough,’ Two Security Sources Say

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Farmer Sentenced to Prison in $650,000 Crop Insurance Fraud Case

DON'T MISS

Where Were the Most Car Crashes in Clovis? Police Release List

DON'T MISS

Protesters to Rally in Brooklyn After Pro-Israel Crowd Assaults Woman

DON'T MISS

Selma Teen’s Death May Be Tied to Fentanyl, Police Say

DON'T MISS

Blast Kills at Least 26 People in Nigeria’s Northeast, Residents Say

DON'T MISS

5-Year-Old Girl and Parents Among Those Dead in Vehicle Ramming in Vancouver

DON'T MISS

Feds Again Bump Up Water Allocation for Many Fresno County Farmers

DON'T MISS

Levi Strauss Shareholders Vote Against Proposal to End Diversity Programs

UP NEXT

Gaza Ceasefire Talks in Cairo Near ‘Significant Breakthrough,’ Two Security Sources Say

UP NEXT

Fresno County Farmer Sentenced to Prison in $650,000 Crop Insurance Fraud Case

UP NEXT

Where Were the Most Car Crashes in Clovis? Police Release List

UP NEXT

Protesters to Rally in Brooklyn After Pro-Israel Crowd Assaults Woman

UP NEXT

Selma Teen’s Death May Be Tied to Fentanyl, Police Say

UP NEXT

Blast Kills at Least 26 People in Nigeria’s Northeast, Residents Say

UP NEXT

5-Year-Old Girl and Parents Among Those Dead in Vehicle Ramming in Vancouver

UP NEXT

Feds Again Bump Up Water Allocation for Many Fresno County Farmers

UP NEXT

Levi Strauss Shareholders Vote Against Proposal to End Diversity Programs

UP NEXT

US and Mexico Have Reached Agreement on New World Screwworm, Ag Secretary Rollins Says

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.