FBI Albuquerque Announces the Successful Results of an Undercover Online Chat Investigation Targeting Child Predators
May 15, 2026 - FBI Albuquerque is announcing the successful results of an undercover online chat investigation targeting child predators. The operation led to the arrest of 15 individuals, all charged with crimes including child solicitation via electronic devices. Each defendant had sought to engage in sexual activity with a minor.
FBI Albuquerque Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force led this operation with assistance from: New Mexico Department of Justice, Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Fe Police Department, 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office-New Mexico.
The FBI is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. This operation is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/psc.
The FBI urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI, tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office. You can also contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or use the electronic Cyber Tip Line. The Cyber Tip Line is operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in partnership with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.
Additional information on how the FBI can help:
FBI Albuquerque
Office of Public Affairs
(505) 889-1300
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
