Operation Leather Mitt, an undercover operation targeting the demand for child sex crimes and human trafficking, resulted in a number of arrests.
The operation, was conducted as a joint effort of the Mesa Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
According to the Mesa Police Department, officers and undercover detectives placed ads on websites commonly sought out by suspects seeking illegal sex acts. The suspects solicited and/or brokered deals for various sex acts and were subsequently arrested.
The suspects in this operation ranged in age from 21 to 56 years old. Arrestees include: Jonathan Techur, Douglas Klingenberg, Julio Miranda Arana, Zachary Babbitt, Ricky Hrubienski, Shane Blanton.