11 arrested in Alabama child sexual exploitation sting, including 2 Koreans

Eleven people, including two Korean nationals, have been arrested on charges of child sexual exploitation following a two-day operation in Alabama.

According to a press release issued on February 24 by local broadcasters WAKA8 and WTVM9, the arrests were the result of a child sexual exploitation crackdown that took place on February 20 and 21.

The operation was carried out by the Lee County District Attorney’s Office in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The Opelika Police Department, located in eastern Alabama, confirmed that the operation led to the arrest of 11 suspects. Among those arrested, three were of Asian descent, including two Koreans.

The suspects, all men in their 20s to 40s, are accused of using computers to contact minors and attempt to purchase sexual services. Some suspects allegedly traveled to the minors’ locations after attempting to arrange sexual encounters online.

Among the individuals arrested, 28-year-old Lee Seung-yun faces charges of attempting to buy sexual services from a minor, using a computer to contact a minor, and traveling to meet the minor for sexual purposes. Another suspect, 43-year-old Lee Ki-sang, was arrested on similar charges.

The Opelika Police Department worked with the nonprofit organization Covenant Rescue Group, DHS, and the local district attorney’s office on the operation. The department is also encouraging anyone with information related to the case to contact the police at 334-705-5220.

BY HYOUNGJAE KIM [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]