State agencies join in targeting child predators

LITTLE ROCK — State and local law enforcement agencies in Arkansas are joining a national program that targets online child predators.

Arkansas State Police Col. Stan Witt said Thursday that he hopes the national effort during the next 30 days will lead to the arrests of what he calls the most dangerous child predators.

The operation will concentrate on offenders who possess, manufacture, and distribute child pornography; engage in online enticement of children for sexual purposes; engage in child prostitution; and engage in child sex tourism such as traveling abroad for the purpose of sexually abusing foreign children.

The effort called the Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force includes 35 state, county and city law agencies and departments and eight federal agencies.

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