FRANKLIN, Ind. – Johnson County Law Enforcement recently made several arrests after conducting a three-day child sex sting operation from May 10 to 12. There were 11 people taken into custody in this, the third child sex sting operation conducted in the last two years.
“Parents need to be very vigilant in reviewing the sites that their children are visiting on their computers or mobile devices; We cannot be our child’s best friend all of the time,” said Johnson County Sheriff Duane E. Burgess.
Detectives from the sheriff’s office and Franklin Police Department set up fake profiles on certain sexual websites pretending to be minors. The profile is very specific in that the person is a minor or 14 years years old. Adults begin messaging the fake account with the posing detective.
These individuals are sometimes willing to travel a great distance to meet with the would-be minor and bring contraband, alcohol, condoms, drugs, and other items that might pique the teen’s interest.
Prior to this detail, 16 individuals have been arrested for child solicitation. Seven of them have already been resolved by pleading guilty and two more are currently set for guilty plea hearings.