Infant rescued during child predator sting in Shelbyville

(SHELBYVILLE, Ind.) – Authorities conducted a child predator sting operation in Shelby County last week. 

The three-day operation was led by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Shelby County Prosecutor’s Office and it involved 21 different agencies. 

“The investigation involved undercover officers posing as minors “chatting” online with people seeking to target minors for unlawful activity,” the Shelby County Prosecutors Office said. 

Officials say 11 men were arrested and the majority had traveled to Shelbyville with the expectation of engaging in sexual acts with a minor.

Prosecutors say the investigation also led to an infant being rescued from sexual abuse.

“The child is safe and receiving services. The alleged offender is in custody as a result of this investigation and charges are pending in the other county, as their offense is still under investigation, said Shelby County Prosecutor James Landwerlen. 

Officials say that several of those arrested had child sex crime histories, while another man was an illegal immigrant and one is an attorney.

One man that was arrested was hoping to trade methamphetamine in exchange for sexual favors with an adult, police said.