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Officials arrest 44 child predators in Arizona as part of national 'Operation Broken Heart III'

Posted at 12:59 PM, Jun 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-22 21:08:47-04

More than 1,000 child predators, including dozens in Arizona, were arrested during a countrywide initiative called "Operation Broken Heart III".

The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Phoenix Police Department took part and arrested 44 people across the state of Arizona in April and May. 

Officials say they concentrated on offenders who "possess, manufacture, and distribute child pornography and who engage in online enticement of children for sexual purposes."

The operation also involved community presentations on Internet safety and other methods of education and outreach.

Thousands of federal, state and local law enforcement groups participated in the operation.