LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Maru De La Paz,

 Laredo—Today, Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar announced the arrest of 8 Laredo Men alleged online child sex predators arrested during the Sheriff’s recently launched Operation  Protecting “R”  Kids Online”.  The undercover operation was created by the Sheriff’s Office to protect Webb County children from predators while using the internet, this operation began October 2009.

 “These are some of the most dangerous individuals that threatened our children today,” Sheriff Cuellar stated.  “Within minutes of logging on, our undercover deputies were openly and repeatedly solicited by these predators.  These investigations have led us to uncover even larger crimes, including over 3,000 nude photos of children, possession of bomb making materials and a hit list of people to be killed.”

 Operation Protecting “R” Kids Online, placed specially trained undercover deputies in internet chat rooms posing as underage boys and girls.  Immediately the deputies were approached by child internet predators, many of whom sent illegal pornographic images and engaged in other illegal conduct.  Deputies then coordinated arrests when the predators showed up to commit the physical assault.

 Sheriff Cuellar continued, “The illegal activity wasn’t restricted to chatting.  These individuals attempted to set up meetings with the deputies which they believed to be underage children whose parents were away.  Several of them brought condoms with them.”

 The first of its kind operation in South Texas, Operation Protecting “R” Kids Online,  led to these 8  arrests and will serve as a deterrent in the future.  After arresting the offenders, the Sheriff’s Office obtained warrants to seize computers and hard drives to expand the investigation to cover other crimes.

 In expanding one particular case, the in-depth investigation discovered an offender who was in possession of bomb making materials, a manual on bomb making and a “hit list” of individuals in the community whom he wanted to kill.

 “This serves as an example of how dangerous these predators can be,” Sheriff Cuellar commented.  “I visited personally with the families on the hit list and advised them of precautions they could take to insure their safety.  We are working with other agencies on an as-needed basis to pursue additional investigations and criminal charges.”

 Operation Protecting “R” Kids Online will continue indefinitely.  The Sheriff’s Office plans to train more officers and expand the program so that more child sex predators can be taken off of the streets.

 Sheriff Cuellar concluded, “We want to send a message.  First, to parents: we are proactively working to protect Webb County children.  And, second, Parents need to be more vigilant and know who their kids are talking to online. Also, stay vigilant of your kids where you think it is safe to do so when frequenting a public place.  I want to send a personal message to the online predators, it is against the law to solicit underage children on the internet, you never know if the underage child you are soliciting will be an undercover deputy.”

 In addition, Sheriff Martin Cuellar wants to thank the Texas State Attorney General Office for the training they provided to our officers and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for their fine assistance in this operation.