PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. — Authorities in Arizona have arrested five people, including a former detective for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, in an investigation targeting the sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of children.
According to KNXV-TV, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies made the arrests Aug. 26 to Sept. 3 as part of “Operation Home Alone 2.” The Arizona Department of Public Safety, which is leading the investigation, said in a news release that the ongoing effort focuses on “sexual predators who attempted to lure underage children with the intent of engaging in sexual activity” in Pinal County.
The following suspects were arrested in connection with the operation:
• Daniel May, 40, of Maricopa, charged with luring a minor for sexual exploitation;
• Matthew Salley, 38, of Maricopa, charged with luring a minor for sexual exploitation;
• Jordan Holloway, 26, of Maricopa, charged with luring a minor for sexual exploitation;
• Former Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Detective Christopher Butts, 44, of Phoenix, charged with aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation and furnishing harmful items to a minor;
• Ryan Kellerman, 36, of Maricopa, charged with aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation and furnishing harmful items to a minor.
DPS officials added that authorities previously arrested Butts on the same charges in February, the news release said. Maricopa police also are investigating Kellerman in connection with a child porn case, according to the release.
More arrests are expected in the operation, authorities said.