The child sex trade is a global problem that affects children of all nationalities, religions, races, and socio-economic statuses.
Caught in police internet sting
Independence, MO —One by one, the special victims unit of the Independence Police Department is picking off suspects as they attempt to engage in commercial sex with children.
From Jan. 29 to 31 and March 5 to 7 detectives from the department, along with investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Kansas City Police Department conducted, under the Human Trafficking Rescue Project, a sting operation targeting customers who solicit pimps to engage in commercial sex acts with children. The “children” were advertised online at Craig’s List, although no real children were involved in the sting dubbed “Operation Guardian Angel.”
According to Matt J. Whitworth, acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, a total of seven defendants were indicted in “Operation Guardian Angel.” The sting was the first federal prosecution in the nation to charge a “John” with attempting to pay for sex with a child under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
“This operation is a direct reflection of the law enforcement officers and prosecutors directly involved in the investigation,” said Independence Police Sgt. Phil Hininger of the special victims unit. “Operations like ‘Operation Guardian Angel’ are organized and planned to facilitate the arrest and prosecution of child sex predators to endure the safety of the children in our community.”
Richard J. Oflyng, 32, of Ottawa, Kan. on Monday became the latest suspect to plead guilty to attempted commercial sex trafficking of a child.
Oflyng made the plea before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright. The charge was contained in a March 10, 2009 federal indictment related to “Operation Guardian Angel.”
Under federal statutes, Oflyng faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to life without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000.
source:http://www.examiner.net/news/x931213624/Police-unit-nabs-another-child-sex-offender
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