“OPERATION BROKEN HEART” YIELDS 46 ARRESTS IN MARYLAND

Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Participates in Nationwide Initiative to Target Child Sex Offenders

Columbia, MD) Maryland’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force yields 46 arrests in Maryland, while participating in “Operation Broken Heart,” a nationwide, two-month initiative targeting offenders of child sexual exploitation.

The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) was one of 61 task forces included in “Operation Broken Heart III”, a two-month initiative. Members from the Maryland ICAC worked tirelessly throughout April and May, initiating 198 investigations. Investigators executed 86 search warrants with 46 arrests. There were also three public outreach sessions, which reached over 700 people.

The coordinated effort by law enforcement represents more than 3,000 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies with the purpose of arresting child predators, along with internet safety education and outreach. During the Operation, investigators educated over 2,300 individuals during 37 educational programs.

The Maryland ICAC Task Force is comprised of police agencies statewide. They concentrated on those offenders who possess, manufacture, and distribute child pornography and who engage in online enticement of children for sexual purposes. They also targeted crimes including child prostitution, and violators traveling abroad to sexually abuse foreign children.

The Task Force’s primary mission continues to be to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. This goal is achieved by cooperation between law enforcement agencies and prosecutors as they combine resources to combat these crimes. Additionally, the Task Force also provides community awareness campaigns helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education.