LOS ANGELES — A sweeping multi-agency crackdown across Southern California led to the arrest of 265 individuals accused of sexually exploiting children through social media and online platforms, law enforcement officials announced Wednesday. The two-week operation, dubbed Operation Spring Cleaning, also resulted in the rescue of 27 minors believed to be victims of online predators.
The collaborative effort, which spanned five counties—Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Ventura—involved more than 100 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Authorities say the goal was to track down and apprehend individuals using the internet to target, groom, and exploit children for sexual purposes.
Targeting Exploiters and Rescuing Victims
“Operation Spring Cleaning was about identifying predators who hide behind screens to commit unspeakable acts against children,” said Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell during a press conference. “But even more importantly, it was about bringing those children to safety.”
Charges against the suspects range from possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material to more severe offenses such as production and human trafficking of minors. Several suspects are believed to be repeat offenders or part of broader networks involved in child exploitation.
The rescued victims, who are now receiving care and support services, were located through coordinated investigations that included online sting operations, forensic analysis of digital evidence, and tip-offs from cybercrime units.
The Shadow Network: Uncovering International Abuse
Authorities revealed that some of the individuals arrested were linked to a disturbing international enterprise known only as “764.” According to U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Assayli, this underground network coerces minors into creating explicit content, often through threats and psychological manipulation.
“Members of this network don’t just exploit—they terrorize,” Assayli said. “Victims are blackmailed into further abuse with threats that their videos will be made public unless they continue complying with demands. This is not just child exploitation; it’s psychological warfare.”
Officials described the 764 group as a growing concern for global law enforcement, as it operates across borders using encrypted platforms and the dark web. Federal agencies, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, are now intensifying their investigation into the group’s activities.
Local Case Highlights Threats Closer to Home
One particularly troubling case emerged out of Burbank, where authorities arrested 36-year-old Saul Alfaro, known online by the alias “Mr. Joints.” Alfaro allegedly used social media to lure underage girls—some as young as 12—by offering alcohol and marijuana in exchange for sex.
Burbank Police Chief Rafael Quintero confirmed that Alfaro had been communicating with at least nine victims across Burbank, Glendale, and other parts of Los Angeles County. “This wasn’t just one individual operating in the shadows,” Quintero said. “He was engaging multiple minors across multiple jurisdictions, and we had to serve over two dozen search warrants to piece the whole picture together.”
Collaborative Efforts Under DOJ Framework
The operation was executed under the Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program, which supports law enforcement agencies across the country in combating cyber-enabled child exploitation. The Los Angeles ICAC Task Force, led by the LAPD, played a central role in coordinating efforts and deploying digital forensic teams throughout the operation.
The success of the operation, authorities emphasized, was rooted in interagency cooperation. Over 108 law enforcement partners—from city police departments to federal cybercrime units—participated in this effort, underscoring the scale and complexity of modern-day online predation.
A Message to Parents and Predators Alike
As investigations continue and more arrests are anticipated, officials are urging parents and guardians to be vigilant about their children’s online activities.
“These predators are relentless,” said LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. “They see a screen; we see a child. Every one of these victims is someone’s daughter, someone’s son. And our message to those who prey on them is clear: we are watching, we are prepared, and we are coming for you.”
For parents seeking guidance on protecting their children online, resources are available through government-affiliated platforms, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (linked via justice.gov) and the Department of Justice’s ICAC program.
Authorities encourage anyone with information about child exploitation or suspicious online behavior to report it immediately through the CyberTipline, operated in coordination with federal agencies.
“This article was written by Mathew Owen. AI tools were used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.”
