6 arrested in undercover Mesa operation targeting child sex crimes

PHOENIX – Six men were arrested recently as part of Operation Leather Mitt, a Mesa undercover operation targeting child sex offenders, authorities said Wednesday.

The operation was conducted by the Mesa Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

The suspects, who range in age from 21 to 56, allegedly attempted to broker deals for illegal sex acts after responding to ads placed online by undercover officers.

Here are the names, ages and charges of the men arrested, per a Mesa Police blog post:

• Jonathan Techur, 33: child sex trafficking, attempted sexual conduct with a minor, money laundering;
• Douglas Klingenberg, 56: luring, attempted sexual conduct with a minor;
• Julio Miranda Arana, 37: child sex trafficking, attempted sexual conduct with a minor, money laundering;
• Zachary Babbitt, 21: luring, attempted sexual conduct with a minor;
• Ricky Hrubienski, 42: child sex trafficking, attempted sexual conduct with a minor, money laundering;
• Shane Blanton, 35: child sex trafficking, attempted sexual conduct with a minor, money laundering.

Anybody with information about suspected human trafficking should contact local police or the National Human Trafficking Hotline online or at 888-373-7888.

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