ARIZONA NEWS

Multi-jurisdiction operation ends in dozens of arrests across Valley

May 11, 2022, 4:15 AM

PHOENIX — A multi-jurisdiction law enforcement operation targeting suspects seeking illegal sex acts online resulted in the arrests of 29 people across the Valley, authorities said Monday.

The Phoenix Police Department Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit recently partnered with police departments in Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Glendale and Surprise, as well as the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the FBI, Arizona Attorney Generals Office and Homeland Security Investigations, for Operation April Fools.

Authorities said undercover detectives during the operation placed ads on websites commonly sought out by those seeking illegal sex acts.

The suspects allegedly solicited or brokered deals for various sex acts and were arrested, authorities said.

Phoenix police said operations like this are conducted routinely in an effort to reduce the demand for child sex trafficking and exploitation of children.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Renovations of Wildflower Tempe ahead of its grand reopening. (Adler Public Relations photo)...

Tom Kuebel

Wildflower debuts renovations for grand reopening in Tempe

The Wildflower restaurant hosted its grand reopening after making several renovations to its location in Tempe.

3 hours ago

(KTAR News/Peter Samore)...

KTAR.com

Casa Grande man sentenced for smuggling meth through San Luis Port of Entry

A man from Casa Grande was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to smuggle more than 30 pounds of meth through the San Luis Port of Entry.

5 hours ago

Emma Stone receives a 5-timers robe from SNL veterans Tina Fey and Candice Bergen. (YouTube screens...

KTAR.com

Arizona-native Emma Stone hosts SNL for 5th time, joining exclusive club

Arizona native Emma Stone was joined by Tina Fey and Candice Bergen who welcomed her to the illustrious five-timers club for hosting Saturday Night Live.

7 hours ago

Fountain Hills native Nicholas Hambruch was announced as lead for the new "Shrek the Musical" comin...

David Veenstra

Valley native cast as lead of new touring version of ‘Shrek’ musical

An all-new version of "Shrek the Musical" with Fountain Hills native Nicholas Hambruch starring as Shrek is coming to Phoenix in March.

10 hours ago

Rendering of Verrado Marketplace, which will total 500,000 square feet with a host of retailers, re...

Audrey Jensen/Phoenix Business Journal

Target among major tenants announced for Verrado Marketplace in Buckeye

Target, Safeway and a Harkins BackLot entertainment complex will be the anchor tenants for the planned Verrado Marketplace in Buckeye.

10 hours ago

(AP File Photo)...

KTAR.com

Northbound lanes on Interstate 17 near Black Canyon City reopen after crash

A crash closed the northbound lanes of Interstate 17 near Black Canyon City. ADOT advised motorists to seek an alternate route.

22 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

(KTAR News Graphic)...

KTAR launches online holiday auction benefitting Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

KTAR is teaming up with The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley for a holiday auction benefitting thousands of Valley kids.

Follow @KTAR923...

The 2023 Diamondbacks are a good example to count on the underdog

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the World Series as a surprise. That they made the playoffs at all, got past the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wild Card round, swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS and won two road games in Philadelphia to close out a full seven-game NLCS went against every expectation. Now, […]

...

SCHWARTZ LASER EYE CENTER

Key dates for Arizona sports fans to look forward to this fall

Fall brings new beginnings in different ways for Arizona’s professional sports teams like the Cardinals and Coyotes.

Multi-jurisdiction operation ends in dozens of arrests across Valley