A massive child porn sting in New Jersey led to arrests in each of the state’s 21 counties — with 40 alleged pervs cuffed, including a former teacher, authorities said Thursday.
The six-month probe, called “Operation Statewide,” tracked sickening images of child exploitation to the homes of pervs in every corner of the Garden State.
“The message that Operation Statewide delivers to these offenders is clear,” Attorney General Christopher Porrino said at a press conference.
“It doesn’t matter where you live, whether you think you can hide your crimes by viewing these vile images in the dark seclusion of your home. We’re monitoring you on the internet. And we will track you down and arrest you.”
All 40 men have been charged with child porn possession, which carries a three-to-five year prison sentence for convictions.
The alleged pervs range in age from 20 to 72.
One of the men was a former school teacher in Philadelphia and Bristol, Pa., and another was a school custodian, but authorities did not identify them specifically. The other defendants include white collar and construction workers, authorities said.
An earlier New Jersey crackdown this year, called Operation Safeguard, led to 16 men getting charged.
