The Washington State Patrol’s (WSP) Missing and Exploited Children’s Task Force arrested 12 men, including a 36-year-old Kent man, during a multi-day operation in Tacoma that targeted individuals who wanted to sexually exploit children.

“Thanks to the hard work of everyone involved in this operation, child predators are taken off the street, “ said WSP Chief John R. Batiste in a Monday media release. “ This operation protects our most vulnerable members of our community from abuse and makes the internet safer for our children.”

Law enforcement officers acting in an undercover capacity, communicated on the internet through various websites with individuals interested in having sex with children. The operation generated hundreds of responses. The would-be perpetrators who were arrested in the operation, traveled to meet with undercover detectives posing as young girls and boys with the intent to engage in sexual activity with them.

Men from Shelton, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Lacey, Puyallup, Tacoma and Renton were arrested during the sting.

“Protecting the vulnerable, especially children, is a top priority for our office,” said Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “These sting operations protect our community by holding offenders accountable and sending a strong message.”

In addition to the 12 suspects that were arrested, two children who were at risk of being abused were rescued.

This is the seventh similar operation in the state since August 2015. The “Net Nanny” series has netted a total of 86 arrests and rescued 21 identified victims throughout the state by the task force.