The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force in Contra Costa County, California, United States conducted Operation Spring Cleaning from the last week of May 2023 to the first week of June 2023. The sting operation aimed to identify, find and help children who had been victimized by sexual predators.
Including Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Brentwood Police Department, a total of 15 law enforcement agencies participated in the operation. They executed eight search warrants, seized 40 illegal firearms, 39 electronic devices and five vehicles and arrested seven men including Michael Patterson, 42, and Carlos Vera, 25, who are both residents of Brentwood, Contra Costa County.
All of the arrestees are from California. Here is the list:
- Carlos Vera, 25, of Brentwood, Contra Costa County, California
- Edward Stinson, 21, of Merced, Merced County, California
- Jeffrey Pallesen, 43, of Stockton, San Joaquin County, California
- Michael Patterson, 42, of Brentwood, Contra Costa County, California
- Nhouel Dulay, 29, of Oakley, Contra Costa County, California
- Randall Alston, 29, of Berkeley, Alameda County, California
- Robert Stearns, 54, of San Ramon, Contra Costa County, California
The seven suspects were each charged with either lewd or lascivious acts involving children under 14-years-old or communicating with a minor to meet for sexual acts or both. They all remain in custody pending preliminary hearings.
Operation Spring Cleaning encompassed over 1,200 law enforcement work hours. The Brentwood Police Department stated, “Our agency remains committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our community and would like to thank all of the participating agencies for their contributions last week in combatting child exploitation.”
CONAN Daily 