LUDINGTON, Mich. — Michigan law enforcement shared more details about how a task force arrested three accused online child predators Thursday morning.
The Ludington Police Department, the Michigan State Police, Mason County Prosecutor and Mason County Sheriff’s Office hosted a joint news conference at the Mason County Sheriff's Office at 11 a.m.
Detectives targeted people who wanted to commit sex crimes against children, and the operation ended up arresting three people.
Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole says that child sex solicitation in the area hasn't been an issue recently, but some deputies were inspired by a movie and the Mason County Sheriff's Office decided to execute a sting operation.
"I didn't think this would work in our community, I didn't see this happening. A couple weeks back two of our deputies attended the 'Sound of Freedom' movie and after watching that movie they came and asked me if they could do this endeavor," said Sheriff Cole.
The three suspects arrested were a 58-year-old from Hart, a 28-year-old from Wyoming and a 58-year-old from Florida who was camping in the area.
The suspects believed they were chatting online with a 15-year-old, and arranged a meetup where they were then arrested, according to the Mason County Sheriff's Office.
Genesee County Sheriff’s Office G.H.O.S.T. (Genesee Human Oppression Strike Team) assisted local law enforcement in the operation.
Watch the full press conference with the Mason County Sheriff's Office:
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