Stanislaus County sting nets 14 arrests for suspected child sex crimes in 2-day operation

Fourteen men were arrested on suspicion of child sex crimes as part of a sting operation by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department earlier this month.

The sting, from Aug. 2-3, involved detectives posing as minors, ages 13 through 15, on social media and dating apps. The fake profiles were eventually contacted and then solicited for “various illicit acts,” according to a Sheriff’s Office press release.

“A meeting location in Stanislaus County was given and the suspects were taken into custody upon their arrival. Each suspect was booked into the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Public Safety Center,” the release said.

The suspects were arrested on suspicion of “various child related sex crimes” which included contacting a minor with intent to commit a sex act, attempted production of child pornography, attempted oral copulation and attempted sexual contact with a minor. Those arrested were residents of Modesto, Ceres, Salida, Lodi, Lathrop, Atwater, Chowchilla and Sacramento.

Sting at the Fair

The Sheriff’s Office conducted several of these stings throughout the year, including at the Stanislaus County Fair.

Undercover units were reportedly positioned through the fair and carried out compliance checks with registered sex offenders across the county, according to another press release.

Over 10 days, the Sheriff’s Office arrested 10 people for “violating of conditions.”

“An additional arrest was particularly concerning — a suspect was caught in an undercover sting, attempting to meet a 14-year-old girl at the fair for illicit activities,” the release said.