The Phoenix Police Department, in collaboration with the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and a host of other law enforcement agencies, has apprehended over 70 individuals alleged to be child predators. This crackdown, dubbed Operation Safe Online Summer, targeted those involved in child exploitation and the distribution of related illicit material, as confirmed by a report from the City of Phoenix's official newsroom.
In a statement obtained by the same source, Phoenix Police Investigations Division Assistant Chief Ed DeCastro expressed the department's dedication to child safety, stating, "Our department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our children and will take appropriate actions to stop predators in our communities." The operation, which initially launched in April 2025, has been active throughout the month, with the indictments and arrests still ongoing.
The efficacy and scale of Operation SOS are evident in the numbers: 132 investigations initiated, 139 NCMEC CyberTips cleared, and 243 search warrants authored. Arrests included 9 "hands-on" offenders, 12 registered sex offenders, and the identification of 14 newly discovered child victims, among others. The operation also included thorough scrutiny of over 1,000 devices and an excess of 60 terabytes of data, indicative of the widespread issue that continues to plague the digital sphere.
Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Phoenix, Matthew Schaeffer, underscored the agency's resolve to protect children online. "Preying on children will not be tolerated and working with our local law enforcement partners to ensure offenders are held accountable and brought to justice is a promise we keep every day," Schaeffer told the Phoenix's newsroom. Schaeffer also highlighted the FBI's capacity to leverage its wide-reaching resources to locate offenders, no matter their place of hiding.
The multi-faceted effort included 11 community education events which reached over 350 parents and students, emphasizing the importance of awareness and prevention in the fight against online predators. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell stressed the importance of a united front in battling these crimes and highlighted resources available for parents to detect early signs of online grooming.
