Operation Broken Heart Produces 63 Arrests for Child Exploitation
BATON ROUGE, LA – Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry joined federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to announce the success of Operation Broken Heart – a two-month initiative to identify, apprehend and prosecute those who produce, distribute, receive and possess child pornography; engage in online enticement of children for sexual purposes; engage in the sex trafficking of children; and travel across state lines or to foreign countries and sexually abuse children.
“Sexual exploitation of kids is gut-wrenching and involves unspeakable things that would shock the conscience of everyone,” said General Landry. “Operation Broken Heart sends a powerful message to predators across the country – law enforcement will find you and we will protect Louisiana’s children.”
The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) is a national network of more than 4,500 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies. Alongside the ICAC task force, General Landry’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation made 63 arrests between April 1st and May 31st for Internet crimes against children. These 45 suspects were charged for crimes associated with sexual abuse images and videos of children under the age of 13.
“The efforts and results of this operation are real and long-lasting,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge of New Orleans Eric Rommal. “Whether it is the FBI, the Attorney General's Office, or many of our partners - we will continue to help those who cannot protect themselves.”
“Our children are our most valuable assets. We must work together to protect them,” said Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard. “This Operation is a great example of the collaborative effort in place to help protect the innocent.”
“Our dangers are as close as a thumbstroke to our children,” added Morgan City Police Chief James Blair. “The more we can prevent and educate the public, the better we will be as a society.”
“Operation Broken Heart is also a reminder of how dangerous the Internet can be and how important it is for parents and guardians to be aware of what your children are doing and with whom they are communicating,” concluded General Landry. “I encourage all to check out our office’s Be Smart With Your Smartphone brochure.”