19 Men Arrested In Fresno County During Child Sexual Predator Sting

FRESNO, CA – Nineteen potential child predators in Fresno County were arrested and jailed thanks to an undercover effort called Operation H.O.O.K. (Hands Off Our Kids) which ran Wednesday through Friday, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities explained that for the operation, detectives built decoy online profiles posing as preteen and young teenage boys and girls to communicate with potential predators. The sheriff’s office added that all of the suspects were first to express their sexual desires and initiate a time to meet with the detective posing as a child.

The sheriff’s office said that once the potential predators arrived at the locations, officers arrested them, adding that no actual children were used or placed in danger during the operation.

“The basis for launching this operation is that children’s use of electronic devices and social media is higher than ever,” the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said. “A potential danger of being online more often is having an encounter with a sexual predator who is seeking out relationships with children.”

Authorities said that most of the arrestees, which were men ranging from 31 to 49 years old, have since posted bond, received a court date, and been released from custody.

Assisting with the operation were members from 17 different local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.