More than 1,000 alleged child sex predators were arrested nationwide in April and May as part of an online sting.
80 of those suspected predators were taken into custody in Wisconsin.
The two-month sting, called Operation Broken Heart, included more than 60 Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces nationwide.
16 arrests in Wisconsin were made during the state's own week-long sting, Operation New Hope, conducted in May. Half were taken into custody in Northeast Wisconsin. You can find photos and charges of those arrested here.
"There is no higher charge I have as Attorney General than to lock up sexual predators and to empower our local law enforcement to do the same,” said Attorney General Brad Schimel. “Internet crimes against children are often the most complex cases law enforcement and prosecutors take on, involving complicated web networks that cross state lines. Operations like this one allow law enforcement agencies across the nation to work together in a focused manner to lock up these predators."
More Than 1,000 Suspected Sexual Predators Arrested During Operation Broken Heart https://t.co/q01cgw8cQJ pic.twitter.com/sYObuvmTSn
— WI AG Brad Schimel (@WisDOJ) July 19, 2017
The national crackdown targeted predators who possess, make or distribute child pornography, try to entice children online for sexual purposes, engage in child sex trafficking, or travel abroad to sexually abuse foreign children.
1,012 suspected child predators were arrested in more than 40 states.
The Wisconsin ICAC Task Force also trained 480 law enforcement officers and other professionals to investigate and prosecute ICAC-related cases, and gave presentations on internet safety.
"DOJ and Wisconsin’s ICAC task forces’ work to arrest more than 80 suspected criminals and train so many people on internet safety will help keep our children safe and our communities strong,” Schimel said.
Operation Broken Heart included more than 4,500 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies across the United States.
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