ICE joins law enforcement in making numerous arrests related to child sexual exploitation
“Operation Home Alone 2” took place in Pinal County
PHOENIX, Ariz. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Casa Grande, participated in a week long targeted operation related to child sexual exploitation netting multiple arrests.
Dubbed “Operation Home Alone 2,” it is the culmination of a months-long proactive operation to combat child sexual exploitation and child sex trafficking in Pinal County. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) detectives lead the joint effort comprised of local, state and federal agencies to include HSI, who targeted sexual predators who attempted to lure underage children with the intent of engaging in sexual activity.
“HSI, working alongside our law enforcement partners, is deeply committed to pursuing alleged predators lurking within our communities seeking to harm and exploit our most vulnerable population,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix. “This multi-agency effort epitomizes our ongoing mission in Arizona and is a testament to the men and woman who working these heinous cases.”
Law enforcement developed probable cause to charge five suspects during the multi-day operation. All suspects were booked into the Pinal County Jail.
On Sept. 3, law enforcement arrested Ryan Kellerman, 36, of Maricopa, on charges of aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation and furnishing harmful items to a minor. Kellerman is also a suspect in a child pornography case with the Maricopa Police Department.
On Aug. 26, two arrests were made; Daniel May, 40, of Maricopa, and Matthew Salley, 38, also of Maricopa. Both defendants are charged for luring a minor for sexual exploitation.
The following day, law enforcement arrested Jordan Holloway, 26, of Maricopa, for luring a minor for sexual exploitation.
On Sept. 2, Christopher Butts, 44, of Phoenix, was arrested for aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation and furnishing harmful items to a minor. Butts, a former Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office detective, was out on bond for his arrest in February for the same charges.
Lastly, on Sept. 3, Ryan Kellerman, 36, of Maricopa, was arrested on charges of aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation and furnishing harmful items to a minor. Kellerman is also a suspect in a child pornography case with the Maricopa Police Department.
Operation Home Alone 2 is a joint operation involving:
- Arizona Department of Public Safety, Pinal Criminal Targeting Unit
- Casa Grande Police Department, Criminal Investigations
- Homeland Security Investigations, Casa Grande
- Maricopa Police Department, Criminal Investigations
- Pinal County Attorney’s Office
This is an ongoing investigation and additional arrests are pending. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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