Operation Summer Shield- Child sex crimes arrests

The Tempe Police Department ( TPD ) has recently partnered with Mesa Police Departments, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Attorney General’s Office for an undercover operation targeting the demand for child sex crimes and human trafficking, known as Operation Summer Shield.

According to a press release from ( TPD ), throughout the operational period officers and undercover detectives placed ads on websites and apps which are commonly sought out by suspects seeking illegal sex acts with children.

25 suspects solicited or brokered deals for various sex acts with children and were arrested.

Each year these agencies come together to conduct these type of operations to reduce the demand that fuels child and human sex trafficking. TPD reports the suspects in the latest operation ranged in age from 19 to 63 years old.