By Attorney General Raúl Labrador
Dear Friends,
This week, I had the privilege of delivering the keynote address at the Idaho State Capitol to help launch Operation Safe Online Summer, a new statewide initiative led by the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The operation will intensify efforts to identify and arrest online child predators during the summer months and highlights our continued commitment to protecting Idaho’s children from exploitation.
The kickoff event brought together law enforcement officers, prosecutors, legislators, and victim witness coordinators to recognize outstanding ICAC-affiliated partners and reinforce Idaho’s ongoing mission to protect children from online exploitation.
The newly launched Operation Safe Online Summer follows a national model similar to previous initiatives like Operation Broken Heart and will include enhanced investigative coordination, arrests, and community education on internet safety.
During the event, we also highlighted key legislative advancements, including Idaho’s new law criminalizing AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery (Idaho House Bill 46, 2024)—a forward-looking statute that gives prosecutors new tools to combat evolving digital threats.
ICAC leadership recognized several agencies and individuals for exemplary contributions to Idaho’s ICAC efforts:
- Detective Christian Teague, Madison County Sheriff’s Office
- Representatives Bruce Skaug and Dori Healey
- Canyon County Sheriff’s Office
- Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office
- Coeur d’Alene Police Department
- Idaho Falls Police Department
- Owyhee County Prosecutor’s Office
We also celebrated the addition of Badger, Idaho’s newest Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 and certified therapy dog. Trained to detect concealed digital evidence, Badger expands Idaho’s capabilities in locating illicit materials hidden on small devices. You can read more about Badger here.
Our office has made the fight against online child exploitation a top priority. Through enhanced enforcement, new legislation, interagency collaboration, and public awareness, Idaho is taking decisive action to protect children. Operation Safe Online Summer reinforces that commitment with increased vigilance during the months when children are most vulnerable online.
Since becoming Attorney General, we’ve expanded and restructured ICAC—resulting in more arrests last year (55) than in the previous three years combined. I’m proud of our ICAC team, our law enforcement partners, and every victim advocate committed to protecting children in Idaho.
Anyone with information about the exploitation of children is urged to contact their local police, the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at (208) 947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST. To learn more about the Idaho ICAC Task Force and access online safety resources, visit ICACIdaho.org.
About Raúl Labrador
Raúl Labrador is the 33rd Attorney General of Idaho. The Office of the Attorney General provides legal representation for the State of Idaho. This representation is furnished to state agencies, offices and boards in the furtherance of the state's legal interests. The office is part of state government’s executive branch and its duties are laid out in the Idaho Constitution.
