Summer Internet Safety Reminder for Families

June 18, 2026
Source: https://www.marincounty.gov/news-releases/summer-internet-safety-reminder-families

Marin County, CA – On May 14th, 2026 the Marin County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies throughout Marin County and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducted Operation Dark Web — an undercover, online-chat operation targeting would be sexual offenders who were looking to meet minors in person for lewd acts. 

During the one-day operation, two individuals were arrested and since have been charged with felony violations of attempting to contact and communicate with a minor for the purpose of engaging in lewd and lascivious behavior, as well as felony violations of arranging to meet with a minor for that same purpose.  

On May 20th, 2026, the Novato Police Department executed an additional arrest in connection with the operation. The individual was charged with the above-mentioned crimes as well. One of the individuals was additionally charged with a misdemeanor violation of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

The allegations must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The operation was conducted in response to the growing concern over the online exploitation of children by offenders who use anonymity to target and contact minors. District Attorney Lori Frugoli noted: “This serves as an important reminder for parents and caregivers to stay informed about internet safety, monitor their children’s online activity, and maintain open discussions about the dangers connected to online chat platforms.”

The Bureau of Investigations, along with District Attorney Lori Frugoli, would like to thank the following law enforcement agencies for their collaboration on this operation: The Novato Police Department, Marin County Sheriff’s Office,  Coordination of Probation Enforcement,  Marin County Probation, San Rafael Police Department, Northern California Regional Intelligence Center, Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Northern California Computer Crimes Task Force.

Special thanks to the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for their continued support and collaboration in the fight against child exploitation in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. 

External Link: https://www.marincounty.gov/news-releases/summer-internet-safety-reminder-families