MASSIVE CHILD PREDATOR SWEEP NETS 238 ARRESTS ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

A two-month sweep of suspected child predators wanted for everything from negotiating sex tourism on the internet to possessing and selling pornography netted 238 arrests across Southern California, including a Buddhist monk, authorities announced Monday. The sweep was part of a national effort called Operation Broken Heart, launched by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a multi-agency effort. The latest operation was conducted in April and May. Those arrested also included a man who came to Los Angeles specifically to buy a 6-year-old boy who was being sold on the internet, officials said. Nationwide, 61 task forces conducted similar operations between April and May. A total of 1,368 arrests were made across the country, police reviewed almost 900 open investigations from across the Southern California region and served nearly 250 search warrants. The announcement of the arrests was made because June is Internet Safety Month.