Note: This release has been corrected to reflect the age of Mark W. Sharp at the time of arrest was 41-years-old and not 21.

(BOISE) – Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden has announced the results of a joint operation that targeted child sexual abuse in the Treasure Valley over the weekend. The project, titled Operation Grand Canyon, was a cooperative effort between federal, state and local agencies. The Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit supervised the operation.

Agencies conducted the project Friday, Saturday and early Sunday. It resulted in the arrests of 11 people. Seven face prosecution for state charges and four have been referred for federal charges. Suspects were booked into the Canyon and Ada county jails.

“Operation Grand Canyon was very successful and I commend everyone who helped plan, organize and execute the project,” Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said. “Thanks to the efforts, expertise and teamwork of dozens of dedicated law enforcement personnel, young people in the Treasure Valley are safer today.”

Dylan Steele, 24, no address known, was arrested Friday and faces federal charges of coercion and enticement and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.

Jesus Gonzalez, 20, of Caldwell, was arrested Friday and faces a state charge of enticing a child through use of the internet or other communication device.

John Albjerg, 33, of Nampa, was arrested Friday. He faces a federal charge of coercion and enticement.

Mark W. Sharp, 41, of Boise, was arrested Saturday. He faces a state charge of enticing a child through use of the internet or other communication device.

Eduardo Arredondo Rivera, 26, of Caldwell, was arrested Saturday and faces a state charge of enticing a child through use of the internet or other communication device.

Larry D. Morck, 59, of Meridian, was arrested Saturday. He faces federal charges of coercion and enticement and attempted sex trafficking of a child.

Reese H. Tolbert, 18, of Meridian, was arrested Saturday and faces a state charge of enticing a child through use of the internet or other communication device.

Casey W. Louderman, 22, of Caldwell, was arrested Saturday. He faces a state charge of enticing a child through use of the internet or other communication device.

Shawn T. Conaway, 44, of Baker City, Oregon, was arrested Saturday. He faces federal charges of attempted sex trafficking of children and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

Ryan A. McElroy, 22, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, was arrested early Sunday. He’s charged in state court with enticing a child through use of the internet or other communication device.

Tyelar A. Guadagno, 37, of Caldwell, was arrested early Sunday. He faces a state charge of enticing a child through use of the internet or other communication device.

The Attorney General’s ICAC Unit partnered with numerous agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho.

“The safety of our children is our top priority,” said Brad Bench, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Seattle. “The strong collaboration between HSI and our law enforcement partners during these complex operations is critical to the removal of dangerous child predators from our communities. I’m extremely proud to be a part of such a dedicated group of professionals.”

Participating agencies also included Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Caldwell Police Department, Canyon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, FBI, Garden City Police Department, Idaho State Police, Nampa Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

“Again, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is as proud of the outstanding results of this joint operation as it is dismayed by the tragic circumstances that require such operations in the first place,” said U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis. “We work best to protect children by collaborating with our local Project Safe Childhood (PSC) partners. This past weekend provides another example of how dedicated law enforcement efforts can combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The Department of Justice has made that fight a priority since 2006.”

The Canyon County Sheriff’s Office provided facilities and numerous other resources for the project.

“These high-level operations are needed to help remove sexual predators from our streets,” said Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue. “People need to understand that these predators are out there and they pose a significant risk to children.”

Anyone with information regarding the exploitation of children is encouraged to contact local police, the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at 208-334-4527, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.

The Attorney General’s ICAC Unit works with the Idaho ICAC Task Force, a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, to investigate and prosecute individuals who use the internet to criminally exploit children.

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