During a multiagency operation, the Bakersfield Police Department and other agencies arrested 24 people in a child predator operation.
On June 25th and 26th, BPD officers conducted an operation designed to identify individuals soliciting juveniles online for sex and conducting sex registrant compliance checks.
During this operation, undercover detectives posing as a juvenile were contacted by several individuals engaging in inappropriate communication, and requesting to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.
Detectives responded to the arranged meeting location and arrested the following individuals for unlawful communication with a minor, and solicitation of a minor for sex:
- William Mullen, 33, of Bakersfield
- Francisco Ceja, 29, of Bakersfield
- Leonel Contreras 28, of Bakersfield
- Dominique Walker, 33, of Bakersfield
- Devon Armstrong, 25, of Bakersfield
- Juan Sandoval, 29, of Bakersfield
During the operation, the multi-agency task force also conducted sex registrant compliance checks throughout Kern County and the City of Bakersfield. Eighteen other arrests were made for sex registration violations, parole violations, probation violations, weapons charges, narcotics, burglary, and several warrants. Eight vehicles were also impounded.
[RELATED] KCSO arrests 11 during undercover operation targeting child predators
BPD partnered with California State Parole, Kern County Probation, U.S. Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, McFarland Police Department, Delano Police Department, and California City Police Department for a multi-agency task force.
The Bakersfield Police Department encourages parents to communicate with their children about the potential dangers when navigating social media, and to be vigilant in monitoring who they may be communicating with. If you would like to schedule a free internet safety presentation for your community group, please contact the Bakersfield Police Department’s Community Relations Unit at (661) 326-3053.
To report an incident of child sexual exploitation online, contact the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111 or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.cybertipline.com, or 1-800-843-5678.