SALT LAKE CITY — Tuesday the Utah Attorney General’s Office released the results of a statewide undercover operation that targeted offenders communicating with children via text, social media, and other chat platforms to meet for sexual activity.
Deputy Chief of Staff over Communications Richard Piatt said, for over two weeks in early spring 2023, officers worked undercover to expose adults seeking to harm children and perpetuate child sexual abuse material (CSAM). From this operation, 10 offenders were arrested and three search warrants were served. Three investigations are still pending and will likely result in arrests.
Operation Cyber Spear was a cooperative effort that included 70 officers from the Utah Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Investigation, United States Secret Service, Adult Probation and Parole, Tremonton City PD, Perry City PD, Weber County SO, Ogden City PD, Roy City PD, Clearfield City PD, Draper City PD, Herriman City PD, Sandy City PD, South Salt Lake City PD, Taylorsville City PD, West Jordan City PD, Bluffdale City PD, Lehi City PD, Salem City PD, Orem City PD, Utah County Sheriff’s Office, Park City PD, IWRCFL, Iron County Sheriff’s Office, Enoch City PD, and St. George City PD.
Piatt said, “The Utah Attorney General’s Office would like to convey appreciation to all who participated and to Ogden City, Lehi City, and St. George City police departments for hosting the operation.”