Merced police and partner agencies arrested 12 individuals in a multi-agency online child predator operation targeting people seeking sexual contact with minors, authorities said.

The operation, conducted on Thursday and Friday, involved the Merced Police Department, Merced County Sheriff’s Department, Merced County District Attorney’s investigators, and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department.

Six of those arrested were from Merced County, including a registered sex offender, while the remaining suspects came from Madera, Fresno, San Benito, San Joaquin, and Tulare counties.

Detectives posed as minors on social media to identify individuals engaging in sexually explicit conversations or arranging in-person meetings with underage children, the Merced Police Department said.

Authorities said the operation highlights ongoing efforts to protect children from online exploitation and urged parents to remain vigilant.

The Merced Police Department said it will continue aggressive investigations to hold offenders accountable and safeguard the community.

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