MERIDEN, CT — Seven people have been arrested in connection with a recent undercover operation that targeted adults trying to "engage in sexual activity" with a person they thought was a minor, according to Meriden police.
Police said the operation took place during June and July in Meriden.
Each man was taken into custody after they were accused of arranging to meet with a "person they believed to be under the age of consent for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity," according to police.
"Upon arriving at the predetermined meeting location, each suspect was safely taken into custody by members of the Meriden Police Department," police wrote in a news release.
On Tuesday, police announced the arrests of the following people: Edison Cugusha-Yumbla, Dalember Castro Mijas, Raul Ramirez Flores, Kenier Eduardo Barraaza, Juan Cando, Emmanuel Ortiz-Ramos, and Cristopher Escobar.
Each were charged with criminal attempt at risk of injury – sexual contact victim under 16, criminal attempt at second-degree sexual assault, and criminal attempt / commercial sexual abuse of a minor. They were all held in lieu of a $500,000 bond.
"The Meriden Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community," police wrote. "Operations such as these are designed to identify and apprehend individuals who seek to exploit children before they have the opportunity to victimize an actual child. Protecting children and ensuring the safety of our community will continue to be a top priority. We are committed to proactively investigating crimes against children, holding offenders accountable, and working tirelessly to create a safer community for every family.
"The Meriden Police Department would like to extend its sincere appreciation to our partners at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for their invaluable assistance during this operation. Their collaboration, professionalism, and shared commitment to protecting children were instrumental in the success of this investigation."
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