LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — Dozens of people across the area were arrested in an online child predator sting in Luzerne County.
State police call this Operation Safe Screen, a months-long investigation between several local, state and federal agencies.
Investigators went undercover online to find people accused of exploiting children.
Police arrested 26 people for allegedly targeting children on the internet, said officials in a press conference Tuesday morning at the State Police Barracks in Wilkes-Barre.
Troopers from barracks across central and northeastern Pennsylvania worked with local law enforcement and the FBI to make the arrests.
"Operation Safe Screen was a multi-agency initiative formed to seek out predators who groom our youth, luring them into situations where they can be exploited sexually," said Maj. Michael Carroll, Pennsylvania State Police Area III commander.
More than 1,800 counts of felony charges for possessing and manufacturing child pornography were filed in connection to the investigation.
"We can most importantly say that we identified several victims of these crimes, and we have them at a safe location where they can get the resources they need to better their lives," Maj. Carroll said.
These arrests come as the volume of reports of child predators online has more than doubled in the last three years, said officials.
“Before the pandemic, all of PA was roughly getting 5 to 6 thousand reports per year,” said Detective Sgt. Kenneth Bellis. “In such a short time since the pandemic, we are well over 15,000 reports for the year.”
"These results are alarming, and it highlights the need for parents and guardians to be vigilant. You need to know who your children are talking to online and ensure you can have an open discussion with your child if they believe they are being contacted inappropriately," Carroll added.
Operation Safe Screen was also able to take down 15 websites used by the accused offenders to share photos and videos.
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