The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the arrest of nearly 70 people across the state of Mississippi as a result of an operation targeting child exploitation offenders and previously convicted sex offenders.
The arrests under Operation Muddy Waters, a two-week-long operation, included child exploitation charges against illegal immigrants who allegedly crossed state lines to abuse minors.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Mississippi, announced that the operation, which began July 20 and ended July 31, was coordinated with federal, state, and local law enforcement across the state.
In total, Operation Muddy Waters led to 13 child exploitation arrests, 48 sex offender absconder arrests, two referrals to Louisiana and Colorado, one victim recovered, more than 8 search warrants, more than 50 devices seized for forensics, and at least three immigration detainers.
U.S. Attorney Scott F. Leary stated, “When dealing with child exploitation cases, it’s time to pause and reflect on why a government exists: It is to protect and provide a better world for our children, everything else is secondary.”
“This principle can be found in our Declaration of Independence, our founding document: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, …’ The Declaration’s vision is that of universal, inalienable God given rights.”
“We are duty bound to protect these rights, especially as they apply to our children. Under no circumstances can American society equivocate this duty. No rationalization, no ambiguity, no tempered response, victimizing children is evil and a civilized society cannot tolerate it.”
“We will be absolutely relentless in our pursuit of those who seek to exploit our kids. These crimes are an abomination. I want to thank those agencies that share this vision, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Marshal Service, the Mississippi Attorney General, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, and the Police Departments and Sheriff’s Offices who work with us. Together we serve the citizens of this great state. We work hard not to let you down.”
Matthew Reidell, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of HSI Gulfport, added, “Those who choose to hide behind a computer screen to exploit children will not remain hidden.”
“Operation Muddy Waters demonstrates HSI’s unwavering commitment to protecting children, supporting victims, and holding offenders accountable. We will continue working with our federal, state and local partners to bring these crimes to light, pursue those responsible and help prevent further harm.”
Attorney General Lynn Fitch noted, “For two weeks, federal, state, and local law enforcement have been working together to find the predators who hide in plain sight in our communities. And the outstanding number of arrests made during this operation point to the power of this partnership.”
“But the most important number coming from this operation is the one child victim that was saved from a sextortion scheme in progress. The work done in this operation made all the difference to this child and to countless others who are a little safer online right now.”
Cristian Abel Argueta Giron: An illegal immigrant from Honduras who allegedly traveled from Tennessee to Mississippi “for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.”
Rahul Mondal: An illegal immigrant from Bangladesh on a student visa at the University of Alabama who allegedly “established communication with a 14-year-old male via social media.”
Enrique Bravo Gonzalez: An illegal immigrant from Mexico who is allegedly a non-compliant sex offender who was previously convicted for a felony sexual offense against a child in 2022.
The post DHS: Illegals Among Those Busted in Operation Targeting Child Sex Offenders and Child Exploitation Crimes in Mississippi appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
