Joint operation between CT police, FBI leads to three arrests on child sexual exploitation charges
Three men are facing criminal charges as the result of a joint operation between the Meriden Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation targeting people seeking sexual activity with children, police said.
The police department and FBI collaborated on the joint operation this month, according to police, and arrested a 28-year-old man, a 61-year-old man and a 50-year-old man who are charged with attempting to make sexual contact with victims younger than 16 years old.
William Suarez, 28, was charged with criminal attempt at risk of injury, sexual contact with a victim under the age of 16, criminal attempted second-degree sexual assault and criminal attempt commercial sexual abuse of a minor.
John Magaldi, 61, was charged with criminal attempt at risk of injury, sexual contact with a victim under the age of 16, criminal attempted second-degree sexual assault and criminal attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor and interfering with police.
Francisco Carrero, 50, was charged with criminal attempt at risk of injury, sexual contact with a victim under the age of 16, criminal attempted second-degree sexual assault, criminal attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor and possession of narcotics.
The police department said the Special Crimes Unit put in significant time investigating these alleged crimes and its partnerships with the FBI and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office were key to the success of the operation.
“The Meriden Police Department is devoted to fully investigating any allegation of sexual abuse of juvenile or adult victims,” Sergeant Michael Boothroyd said in a statement. “We have a network of partner agencies that can facilitate providing services while also working toward enforcement when appropriate.”
Suarez and Carrero’s bonds were set at $250,000, police said, while Magaldi’s was set at $350,000.
All three men are scheduled to appear in court next on March 22, records show.