COLORADO SPRINGS - 88 dangerous child sex predators who targeted children in Colorado were removed from the streets thanks to a two-month operation led by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
During the months of April and May, Colorado ICAC Task Force participated in DOJ's "Operation Broke Heart," a national coordinated effort that targets suspects who:
- Produce, distribute, receive and possess child pornography
- Engage in online enticement of children for sexual purposes
- Engage in the sex trafficking of children
- Travel across state lines or to foreign countries and sexually abuse children
The operation also focuses on education through presentations to youth and adults.
The Colorado Springs Police Department is the lead ICAC agency for the more than 90 affiliated Colorado law enforcement agencies located throughout the state and is commanded by Lieutenant Christy Sheppard. CSPD is responsible for 23 of the 88 online child sex offenders that were arrested during the operation. The department also reached more than 500 youth and adults through education presentations during those two months.
“Every year, we are proud to take part in this operation and believe it is necessary that we continually take proactive steps in protecting children,” said CSPD Chief Vince Niski. “Because of the hard work put in by all 90 law enforcement agencies over the last two months, the streets of Colorado are that much safer,” Niski said.
The Department of Justice arrested nearly 1,700 suspected child sex predators during Operation Broken Heart.
