(KMJ) – The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of nine suspects in an underage sex sting. It’s a part of what is is decribed as “Phase 4” of “Operation Baby Face”.
Sheriff Mike Boudreaux describes the operation as an ongoing, aggressive and vigilant effort to combat child sex trafficking.
In “Phase 4”, two deputies went undercover online, posing as 14-year-old and 16-year-old females. The goal was to target predators that would be willing to meet the juveniles for sexual acts.
The suspects arrested in the sting are:
Brock Pearson, 39, of Springville
Fernando Chavez, 27, of Dinuba
Javier Hernandez, 22, Porterville
Benjamin Lopez-Herrera, 23, Delano
Hector Ornelas, 24, Avenal
Jonathon Hernandez, 25, Porterville
Steven Albertson, 27, Visalia
Raymond Lopez, 52, San Pablo
Michael Farias, 19, of Exeter
(Suspects arrested in sting. Not pictured: Michael Farias)
“Phase 5” of the plan encourages parents to find out what their children are doing online.
