Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Ocean City Chief William Campbell announced the arrests of four South Jersey men following a multi-agency sting operation to combat child sexual exploitation.
“This was accomplished by several law enforcement agencies conducting a comprehensive operation resulting in multiple arrests and the disruption of illicit activities,” Sutherland and Campbell said in a news release Wednesday.
The operation, dubbed “Blank Space,” was carried out over two days in Ocean City and was led by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, High Tech Crimes Unit, the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Ocean City Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
It resulted in the arrest of four men and included the search of two homes and the seizure of substantial evidence, including electronic devices, the release stated.
Following are the suspects and the charges against them:
William B. Peraria, 66, of the 1200 block of Massachusetts Ave. in Somers Point.
- Attempted Sexual Assault
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child
- Attempted Obscenity
Jeffrey K. Dragon, 37, of the 400 block of Poinsett Ave. in Pitman
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child
- Attempted Sexual Assault
- Attempted Luring
- Attempted Obscenity
Marc Anthony Carroll, 34, of the 2100 block of Hamilton Drive, in Voorhees
- Attempted Luring
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child
- Attempted Criminal Sexual Contact
Kristofer Laud, 38, of the 1500 block of Weatherby Road, in Woodbine
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child
The operation employed a multifaceted approach, leveraging advanced technology, forensic analysis, and undercover techniques to apprehend those involved in child sex exploitation networks that create and distribute Child Sexual Abuse Materials, according to the news release.
Investigators worked tirelessly to identify the suspects who were allegedly exploiting children through online platforms, grooming them for illicit activities, and sharing harmful content, authorities said.
In the release, Sutherland thanked and recognized the agencies that assisted with the investigation.
“As technology advances, so do the illicit activities of those among us who exploit children to satisfy their own depraved sexual needs and for economic gain,” Sutherland said. “Without the talented and dedicated members of our office and our partner agencies, we would not be able to shut down these operations and remove these dangerous people from our community. Always be cognizant about what you share and what your children are doing on electronic devices and on the various social media platforms.”
Assisting in the investigation were:
- Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office
- Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office
- Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office
- Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office
- Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office
- Avalon Police Department
- Cape May City Police Department
- Cape May County Sheriff’s Department
- Middle Township Police Department
- Ocean City Police Department
- Voorhees Police Department
- Homeland Security Investigation (Atlantic City)
- New Jersey State Police
- New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children
As part of ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation, law enforcement agencies urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving the exploitation of children.
Sutherland also urged the residents of Cape May County to report any information regarding illegal drug activity or any criminal activity within the community. That information can be reported to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135 or anonymously on the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office website at cmcpo.tips or through the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or to the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-889-3597.
