Hayward man arrested in nationwide crackdown on child sex offenders
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A Hayward man was arrested last month as part of a five-day nationwide crackdown on child sex abuse offenders. The Federal Bureau of Investigation's San Francisco field office announced the arrest on Wednesday as part of Operation Restore Justice.
The sweep was initiated to 'protect our children' and to mark April, which is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the agency said. The operation to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators was carried out in coordination with all 55 FBI field offices.
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During the sweep, the San Francisco FBI arrested Erik Antonio Contreras, a 34-year-old Hayward man, on April 30. Contreras, the FBI said, was arrested for possession of child sexual abuse materials.
Photo: FBI
Photo: FBI
Additionally, in late 2023, he allegedly expressed a desire to engage in sexual conduct with a 12-year-old girl, the FBI said. Following the execution of a search warrant on October 2023, the FBI said over 1,000 media files 'consistent with child sexual abuse materials' were found on his electronic devices.
'This coordinated effort across all FBI field offices was not just about making arrests, it was about standing up for those who cannot defend themselves,' said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani. 'While this initiative was a success, it represents just one step in our ongoing fight to protect children from those who seek to harm them.'
Last week, the FBI arrested 205 people and rescued 115 children across the country during Operation Restore Justice. According to the FBI, those arrested included teachers, members of law enforcement, and the military.
'Others are your neighbors,' the FBI said, 'proving criminal activity can be found even in the most familiar places.'
Subjects who were arrested were accused of various crimes, including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse materials, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking, the FBI said.
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