by Marian Camacho
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A three-month-long statewide operation has led to the arrest of 19 alleged child predators and the rescue of two children.
New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas says the joint operation, dubbed Operation Broken Heart V, is focused on protecting New Mexico children from sexual exploitation and rape.
James Stewart and Teri Sanchez are included in the report. The parents came into the spotlight for a horrific case of child abuse involving their 7-year-old daughter. Stewart is accused of forcing the young girl into prostitution among many other charges. Sanchez is accused of hitting and slapping the girl, selling her clothing and failing to feed or bathe her.
Balderas says in total, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force served 147 search warrants over the three-month time span.
“I’m grateful for the work of Office of the Attorney General special agents along with local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who belong to the New Mexico ICAC task force for saving children from horrific abuse and torture,” said Attorney General Balderas. “We have no higher priority than protecting our children, and thanks to our ICAC task force and successful initiatives like Operation Broken Heart V, our communities around the state are safer for children and families.”
The task force was focused on offenders who possess, create and distribute child pornography, engage in online enticement of children for sexual purposes, engage in child prostitution, engage is traveling abroad for the purpose of sexually abusing foreign children.
New Mexico’s ICAC task force is comprised of 87 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
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