ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – More than half a dozen suspected child predators have taken off the streets after a month-long online chat operation involving agencies from around New Mexico. On Monday, the message from the state’s attorney general is: New Mexico will not tolerate anyone looking to hurt children.
“In the last decade online child sexual exploitation and abuse has increased exponentially and is now a global epidemic,” said Special Agent Jason T. Stevens, who is in charge of Homeland Security Investigations.
A harsh truth from some of the state’s top law enforcement officials, warning people that it’s not going away anytime soon. The New Mexico Attorney General’s Office saying Operation Overwatch, an undercover online chat investigation, helped them identify nine suspects between the middle of September to last week and arrest eight of them so far.
“These cases are sickening; the disappointing thing is we know there are more of you out there,” stated Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen.
BCSO identified one of the suspects, Stephen Phillips, as a middle-school teacher from Albuquerque. According to his criminal complaint, Phillips responded to an online post where officers posed as a father trying to offer his 12-year-old child for sex. Albuquerque Police explained that although it’s rare, they have seen parents online trying to offer their own children.
“Parents in that feeling of greed or whatever it is will do anything sometimes to make money or pay off a debt, so we’re aware of it. It’s more rare as some of these general idiots that show up but it’s definitely out there,” said APD Commander Kyle Hartsock.
Some of the other suspects were led to believe they were chatting directly with a child between the ages of 12 and 15 with messages revealing an explicit intent to meet for sex.
The Department of Justice worked with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Albuquerque and Santa Fe Police, the FBI, and Homeland Security on the operation.
Officials are urging the public that although they are tackling the issue, they need parents to stay vigilant.
“The predators have adapted how they go about exploiting children, and so we’ve had to adapt as well, but we need community support to fight back,” stated Attorney General Raul Torrez.
The operation targeted users on apps including Kik, SkiptheGames, Fetlife, and others. The FBI urges the public to report any suspicious activity by phone or at their website. They also announced they are already preparing for more undercover operations.
