When You Recognize Friends in the News

The last time this happened was around 1999.  Now, history repeats.  This doesn't look good:

Fourteen men suspected of engaging in illegal and explicit conversations with children over social media have been arrested after a three-day undercover child predator operation led by the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office and Yuba County District Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the Sacramento Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Several of those facing charges are residents from Sacramento County, according to a press release from the District Attorney’s office.

The men suspected of these crimes were on a number of popular social media sites when they began some extremely suggestive conversations with who, they believed to be, young girls. Explicit messages were sent and arrangements were made for the suspects to come and engage in sexual acts with the juvenile.

Fortunately, instead of coming face-to-face with an innocent child, the suspects were met by agents from various regional departments and promptly arrested.

...“There are no safe places on the Internet or in our community for child predators,” Yuba County District Attorney Clint Curry said. “Protecting the most vulnerable in our communities is our core responsibility. When it comes to those who would prey upon our children, there is nothing that we will not do within the parameters of the law to find you and hold you accountable for your actions.”