“AG’s Office Arrests 8 Child Predators in Undercover Operation”
More than half a dozen suspected child predators have been taken off the streets following a month-long online sting operation involving various agencies across New Mexico. On Monday, the state’s attorney general delivered a clear message: New Mexico will not tolerate those who seek to harm children.
“In the last decade, online child sexual exploitation and abuse has skyrocketed and become a global epidemic,” said Special Agent Jason T. Stevens, head of Homeland Security Investigations.
Top law enforcement officials in the state acknowledged the grim reality, warning that online child exploitation isn’t disappearing anytime soon. The New Mexico Attorney General’s Office reported that Operation Overwatch, an undercover online chat investigation, identified nine suspects between mid-September and last week, leading to the arrest of eight so far.
“These cases are sickening, and the disappointing truth is there are more offenders out there,” said Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen.
One suspect, Stephen Phillips, a middle school teacher from Albuquerque, was identified by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. According to his criminal complaint, Phillips responded to an online post in which officers posed as a father offering his 12-year-old child for sex. Albuquerque Police noted that while it’s rare, they have encountered cases of parents attempting to exploit their own children online.
“Sometimes, out of greed or other motives, parents will do anything to make money or pay off a debt. Although it’s less common than the typical predators we see, it’s still out there,” said Albuquerque Police Department Commander Kyle Hartsock.
Several other suspects believed they were communicating with a child between the ages of 12 and 15, sending explicit messages with the intent to meet for sex.
The Department of Justice collaborated with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Albuquerque and Santa Fe Police, the FBI, and Homeland Security on the operation.
Officials are urging the public to stay vigilant, emphasizing that while they are working hard to combat the issue, parental awareness is critical.
“The predators have evolved in how they exploit children, and we’ve had to evolve in response. But we need the community’s support to keep fighting back,” said Attorney General Raul Torrez.
The operation focused on users of apps such as Kik, SkiptheGames, and Fetlife. The FBI encourages the public to report suspicious activity via phone or their website and announced plans for future undercover operations.
