N.M. Attorney General Torrez Reaffirms Criminal Enforcement Following Online Predator Operation

Raúl Torrez reaffirmed the New Mexico Department of Justice’s ongoing commitment to criminal enforcement following a recent multi-agency undercover operation targeting suspected online child predators. 

The statement follows “Operation Game Over,” a four-day undercover operation conducted alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and Santa Fe Police Department that resulted in the arrest of 15 individuals accused of attempting to meet children for sexual activity online. 

According to the NMDOJ, nine of those cases will be prosecuted by the state. 

“I know you’ve been watching our social media lawsuits and our civil actions. We want you to know that we’re still doing criminal enforcement. That’s part of our approach.” 

“I have an important update in our ongoing effort to try and make sure that our kids are safe online,” Torrez said in a video statement released following the operation. 

“Last week, we participated in a multi-jurisdictional operation with the FBI, APD, Santa Fe Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office… long story short, we set up decoy accounts in online platforms,” Torrez said. “We arrested 15 suspects—nine of those are going to be prosecuted right here at the New Mexico Department of Justice.” 

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Torrez described the suspects as dangerous individuals accused of attempting to engage in sexual activity with children they encountered online.

“Most of these guys are very dangerous,” Torrez said. “People that are looking to have sex with kids that they find online. They’re all going to be charged in state court, and our prosecutors are going to do everything we can to get them off the streets, get them out of our communities, and get them behind bars.” 

Torrez also addressed the department’s broader enforcement strategy, noting that recent public attention surrounding social media litigation efforts does not replace ongoing criminal prosecutions.

“This is part of the ongoing effort,” Torrez said. “I know you’ve been watching our social media lawsuits and our civil actions. We want you to know that we’re still doing criminal enforcement. That’s part of our approach.” 

The attorney general praised the collaborative work performed by the participating agencies and investigators involved in the operation.

“I’m super proud of our agents, and I’m super proud of this partnership and all of the work we’re doing,” Torrez said. “But there’s still a lot more left to do.”