More than 2,300 sex offenders arrested in national sting

More than 2,300 suspected sex offenders were rounded up between March and May in the United States in a national sting operation, federal ...

More than 2,300 suspected sex offenders were rounded up between March and May in the United States in a national sting operation, federal officials said. File Photo by View Apart/Shutterstock/UPI

By Susan McFarland, UPI

The U.S. Justice Department said a nationwide sting operation has taken more than 2,300 suspected sex offenders off the streets.

The three-month operation, dubbed "Broken Heart," was conducted in all 50 states by Internet Crimes Against Children task forces, in conjunction with more than 4,500 law enforcement agencies.

Of those arrested, authorities said nearly 200 are suspected of producing child pornography or committing child sexual abuse. The investigation found 383 child victims of ongoing sexual abuse.

During the operation, which spanned from March to May, authorities investigated more than 25,000 complaints of online child pornography -- and more than 3,700 presentations about Internet safety were given to thousands of people.

"No child should ever have to endure sexual abuse," U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. "In recent years, certain forms of modern technology have facilitated the spread of child pornography and created greater incentives for its production.

"Any would-be criminal should be warned: This department will remain relentless in hunting down those who victimize our children."

Officials said the suspects were specifically targeted for child pornography, enticing children online, sex trafficking and sexual abuse.