Colorado Springs police arrest 23 people for child sex crimes

The Colorado Springs Police Department says nearly two dozen people were arrested for online child sex crimes in April and May as part of a larger Department of Justice operation.

Twenty-three people were arrested in the Springs during Operation Broken Heart, according to CSPD. A total of 88 offenders were arrested in Colorado during those two months.

We’ve requested a list of the suspects’ names from the department. CSPD is working on providing that information.

CSPD says officers targeted suspects who “produce, distribute, receive and possess child pornography; engage in online enticement of children for sexual purposes; engage in the sex trafficking of children; or travel across state lines or to foreign countries and sexually abuse children.”

The operation was a combined effort by the Department of Justice and the Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which consists of more than 90 Colorado law enforcement agencies.

“Every year, we are proud to take part in this operation and believe it is necessary that we continually take proactive steps in protecting children,” says CSPD Chief Vince Niski.