Related Federal Cases
- Woods and Gilchrist Face Federal Charges in Georgia Drug Ring · Georgia
- Georgia DOJ Backs DEA’s National Pill Take-Back Day · Georgia
- Georgia Military Base Bribe Scandal: Potts & Philpot Guilty · Washington
- Tomato Trafficker: 382 Kilos of Coke Headed for Middle Georgia · Georgia
- Georgia’s Crabtree & Donnan Hit with 85-Count Ponzi Scheme Indictment · Georgia
81 Georgia Predators Snared in ‘Broken Heart’ Operation
MACON, GA – Eighty-one alleged child sex offenders are off the streets in Georgia following a two-month blitz dubbed “Operation Broken Heart,” announced U.S. Attorney Charles “Charlie” Peeler for the Middle District of Georgia. The sweep, part of a nationwide effort involving 61 ICAC task forces, resulted in nearly 1,700 arrests across the country during April and May of 2019.
The Georgia ICAC Task Force, operating under the Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit (CEACCU) at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), investigated over 18,500 complaints of technology-facilitated crimes against children. They also delivered over 2,150 internet safety presentations to more than 201,000 youth and adults. Nationally, 308 defendants were arrested on charges related to the production or distribution of child pornography, or for committing child sexual abuse. Investigators identified 357 children who were victims of recent or historical sexual abuse, or were exploited in the creation of child pornography.
“Sexually exploiting children is pure evil, and our Office will continue to bring the full weight of our prosecutorial powers to ensure that offenders are brought to justice,” Peeler stated. “To the victims of child exploitation: we support you and we will continue to target, arrest and prosecute those who have hurt you.” He lauded the “heroic efforts” of the Georgia ICAC Task Force, comprised of over 240 local, state, and federal law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.
Debbie Garner, GBI Special Agent in Charge of CEACCU and Commander of the Georgia ICAC Task Force, emphasized the relentless nature of the work. “The dedicated law enforcement professionals that are part of the Georgia ICAC Task Force will not cease searching for those who are producing, trading and collecting this graphic material – many of whom are also molesting children and causing them irreparable harm,” she said. “These are the types of investigations being worked every day by task force members across the state.”
The operation specifically targeted individuals involved in the production, distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography; online enticement of children for sexual purposes; sex trafficking of children; and interstate or international travel for the purpose of sexual abuse. The ICAC Program is funded through the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).
Since its inception in 1998, the ICAC Task Force Program has reviewed over 922,000 complaints of child exploitation, leading to the arrest of more than 95,500 individuals. Over 708,500 law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and other professionals have received training on ICAC-related investigative and prosecutorial techniques. All those arrested are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
