Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Investigations Division, conducted an undercover operation known as “Operation Genesis”. There were nine (9) federal, state, and local agencies involved. This joint effort was a first for Ellis County seeking out predators who prey on children. In total, sixteen (16) predators have been identified; ten (10) have been apprehended and six (6) are still under investigation. There will be seventeen (17) criminal cases presented to the Ellis County and District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution. One (1) of the predators received two (2) counts of Online Solicitation of a Minor.