New Hampshire authorities say 12 arrests have been made as part of "Operation Cyber Guardian" to target people intent to sexually exploit children through the use of technology and the internet.
The New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children's Task Force conducted the operation this week with the Nashua and Lebanon police departments.
Authorities said Friday that 12 men are charged with one count of certain uses of computer services prohibited, a felony.
Among those arrested were:
- Richard Bella, 31, of Charlestown, New Hampshire
- Jake Clarke, 331, of Newport, New Hampshire
- Keith Colantonio, 37, of Milford, Massachusetts
- Samuel Da Silva, 41, of Chelsea, Massachusetts
- Julius DeNitto, 58, of Hudson, New Hampshire
- David Kendall, 25, of White River Junction, Vermont
- Alex Kinney, 28, of North Chelmsford, Massachusetts
- David Martin, 39, of Nashua, New Hampshire
- Casely Schandorf, 42, of Laurel, Maryland
- Kushal Shah, 20, of Nashua, New Hampshire
- Jeremy Stinson, 28, of Penacook, New Hampshire
- Paul Pratte, 51, of Merrimack, New Hampshire
They said the group is accused of trying to meet and have sexual contact with someone they believed to be a minor.
It's unclear when any of the men will appear in court to face charges or if they have attorneys.
Copyright The Associated Press