Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Arrests 36 Suspected Child Predators in Conjunction with Operation Broken Heart

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - June 12, 2019 - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today the state's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force arrested 36 suspected child sex offenders in South Carolina as part of Operation Broken Heart. "I am proud of the effort by all involved with this Task Force," said Attorney General Alan Wilson. "Protecting our children from Internet predators requires a collaborative effort by local, state and federal agencies working together to investigate and prosecute these offenders, as well as educate parents and their children."

The two-month national operation was conducted during the months of April and May and involved all 61 ICAC Task Forces, which is comprised of over 4,500 law enforcement agencies across the country. In total, over 1,700 arrests were made nationwide.

In addition to the arrests made in South Carolina, Task Force members also conducted 115 Internet safety presentations during this period reaching over 5,000 people.

The state's ICAC Task Force began in 1998 as one of the original ten agencies awarded a grant by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Task Force expanded in 2005 to partner with local, state and federal agencies. The Task Force has grown now to include 113 agencies and has made over 1,200 arrests.

Additional information regarding the national Operation Broken Heart release can be found here. Additional online safety resources can be found on the Attorney General's ICAC Task Force site, www.SCSafetyNet.com.