COLLIN COUNTY (WBAP/KLIF)- From April 10, 2019 through April 12, 2019, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety, conducted an online predator operation. Investigators from 14 different
federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies participated which led to 15 arrests, all charged with online solicitation of a minor. In the operation, investigators were also able to rescue a young boy from Arkansas and make an arrest on child pornography charges.
Investigators seized a large number of electronic devices utilized by these suspects to commit their crimes, which will undergo further forensic examination and additional arrests are expected.
Sheriff Skinner stated, “These criminals go to great lengths to hide their true identities
as they seek to exploit our children using the worldwide web. The talent level,
experience, and dedication of the Investigators and Analysts who worked on Operation
Atlas are extraordinary and their ability to root out these criminals should be commended.
There is no way to estimate the number of children saved by their efforts. “We would like to thank the following law enforcement agencies that participated in
Operation Atlas: United States Marshal’s Service-Eastern District of Texas, Federal
Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland
Security Investigations, Child Protective Investigations, Denton County Sheriff’s Office,
Allen Police Department, Carrollton Police Department, Dallas Police Department,
Farmers Branch Police Department, Irving Police Department, and Wylie Police
Department. This operation serves as an excellent example of the type of success that
routinely occurs here in North Texas when law enforcement agencies work together – in
this case to protect our most precious resource, our children.
