Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced today the completion of a weeklong cybercrime operation known as Operation Cold Turkey, which resulted in the arrest of four individuals on charges related to child exploitation.

“Throughout this operation, we were able to remove dangerous predators from communities in Mississippi and prevent them from doing further harm,” said Fitch. “I am grateful to the dedicated investigators and prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Office, as well as our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, for their work on this operation and every day to clear the internet of child predators.”

Operation Cold Turkey, which ran from November 11 to 15, 2024, focused on individuals attempting to lure children online for sex or to exchange child pornography. The operation involved Mississippi Attorney General’s Office investigators and multiple law enforcement agencies working together to target these offenders.

During the operation, nine search warrants were served, leading to four arrests on child exploitation charges. The investigation also developed numerous leads that may result in additional arrests in the future.

The operation was hosted by the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office and included the participation of the following agencies:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• George County Sheriff’s Office
• Hancock County Sheriff’s Office
• Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
• Jackson Police Department
• Jasper County Sheriff’s Office
• Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
• Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office
• Pike County Sheriff’s Office
• Stone County Sheriff’s Office

The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office operates the Mississippi Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a collaboration of more than 80 law enforcement agencies nationwide. The task force combats online exploitation to address and prevent threats to Mississippi’s children.