Tulare County Detectives Arrest Eight in “Operation Heartbreak” Child Protection Sting
Above: Stock Image
In a proactive measure aimed at safeguarding minors from online predators, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit Detectives launched “Operation Heartbreak” just before Valentine’s Day. The operation involved the creation of underage decoy accounts on various social media platforms, which quickly attracted the attention of several adults seeking illicit encounters with minors.
Over the course of February 12th and 13th, the detectives executed a sting operation reminiscent of the “To Catch a Predator” series, resulting in the arrest of adults who attempted to meet with the decoys for sexual purposes. The sting led to eight felony arrests for arranging to meet a child for lewd purposes. Those apprehended in the operation include Milton Martinez-Rodriguez, 22, of Tulare; Gambino Zacarias Alvarez, 39, of Reedley; Jaden Rodriguez, 18, of Visalia; Eleazar Olivarez, 26, of Hanford; Miguel Rivera, 27, of Porterville; Donavyn Castro Escobedo, 25, of Tulare; Heraclio Nunez Gonzalez, 43, of Visalia; and Luis Rincon Garcia, 26, of Hanford.
Sheriff Mike Boudreaux emphasized the ongoing commitment of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office to the prevention of such crimes. The operation underscores the importance of vigilance and aggressive action in identifying and apprehending individuals targeting juveniles for sexual exploitation. Sheriff Boudreaux also issued a call to the public to remain alert to the threat posed by predators and to report any crimes or suspicious activities.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information related to crimes against children or any suspicious behavior to contact them directly or to utilize the Sheriff’s TipNow Program for anonymous reporting. This operation is a part of the department’s continued efforts to ensure the safety and security of children within Tulare County.
