In a major breakthrough for Kern County in California, 23 people have been arrested on charges of human trafficking and child exploitation under “Operation Bad Barbie.” Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer addressing a press conference stated that they arrested 'predators' looking to have a sexual relationship with a child. “We came together and arrested predators who are out there looking to have a sexual relationship with a child," said Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer. Notably, Operation Bad Barbie was a four-day undercover operation from August 9 to August 12. Operation Bad Barbie involved 40 officers from local, state, and federal agencies including Homeland Security, the FBI and the Secret Service. Interestingly, Operation Bad Barbie has caught the attention in India as well, as approx 5 accused in the 23 arrested are Punjabis.
As per reports, the 5 Punjab-origin persons arrested include- 35-year-old Jaswinder Singh, 54-year-old Joginder Singh, 54-year-old Rajinderpal Singh, 33-year-old Nishan Singh, and 44-year-old Karnail Singh. Apart from them, the remaining arrested individuals include- Salvador Salcedo (56), Daniel Hernandez (36), Diego Gonzalez (36), Jose Trejo (33), Ronnie Jermaine Wiley (30), Alberto Rodriguez (23), Antonio Romero Jr. (30), William Alfredo Perez Sandoval (26) ), Minor Velasquez (38), Rolando Lopez (23), Michael Peter Murtala (43), Eli Robert Wilson (29). ), Ricky Travon Walker (40), Devon Paul Taylor (31), Joshua Gemira Johnson (38), and Christopher Lee Griner (36).
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Divulging more details about Operation Bad Barbie, DA Cynthia Zimmer informed that undercover agents engaged in chat on social media sites and dating apps with offenders ranging in age from 23 to 56 years old. Two of the suspects include the owner of a trucking company and an engineer at an oil company. Now, the arrested individuals are facing a series of charges of human trafficking, pimping, pandering, arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes, contact with a minor with intent to commit a sex offense, abduction, and possession of child pornography. The DA further informed the prime targets for sexual predators are kids in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, but keeping them safe is easier than you think.