By Trend News Line 2024-02-11 12:06:29.
Arrest Made in Multi-Agency Operation Targeting Alleged Sex Offenses Against Children
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A 34-year-old man from Caldwell County has been arrested as part of a multi-agency operation aimed at combating alleged sex offenses against children. Larry Ray Haskins, residing on Harper Avenue in Lenoir, was identified as the suspect in a news release issued by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
The arrest of Haskins came as part of Operation Winter Guardian, a joint effort involving 44 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The operation, conducted by the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (NCICAC), resulted in the apprehension of 16 individuals across the state accused of soliciting, sexually exploiting, or abusing children.
Led by the NC State Bureau of Investigation’s Computer Crimes Unit, the NCICAC Task Force consists of over 250 agencies across North Carolina. The task force is part of the nationally coordinated effort of 61 regional task forces dedicated to investigating, prosecuting, and effectively responding to internet crimes against children.
Operation Winter Guardian was conducted in two phases. During the first phase, law enforcement investigators posed as individuals seeking to meet juveniles for sexual activity, engaging in undercover online chats. Subsequently, some of the individuals traveled to a location in Gaston County to meet the supposed child for engaging in sexual acts.
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The second phase of the operation involved the execution of search warrants at various locations throughout the state. These locations were identified as distribution points for sharing child sexual exploitation images. Through these investigations, at least five children were identified and safeguarded from ongoing sexual abuse.
Assisting in Operation Winter Guardian were several law enforcement agencies, including the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, US Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation.
Haskins’ arrest in January, on charges of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, was previously reported by WHKY. He is currently held at the Caldwell County Detention Center under a $10,000 bond. No upcoming court dates have been listed for Caldwell County.
The successful outcome of Operation Winter Guardian is a testament to the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in North Carolina in combatting child exploitation and abuse..
1. Lenoir resident arrested in multi-agency investigation
2. Multi-agency investigation leads to arrest of Lenoir resident.
