Savannah Police Department increasing efforts to track down internet predators

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - It’s a goal — and a challenge — for predators to lure in a vulnerable child.

And that’s exactly why the Savannah Police Department is getting more proactive by the day, working to beat internet predators at their own game.

Sergeant Aaron Washington with Savannah Police’s Special Victims Unit says they’re taking major steps — including partnering with federal and state agencies like the FBI and GBI — to track down offenders when tips come in.

“It’s a partnership at the local, state, and federal levels, all coming together to track down these evil individuals,” said Washington.

He pointed to a recent statewide operation, Operation Byte Down, that led to the arrest of 17 people across Georgia.

Among them...Christian Havanki of Pooler and Patrick Dulebohn of Savannah.

Washington says what makes these cases more alarming is how much predators are evolving and where they’re hiding.

Many online predators are now using popular gaming platforms and streaming apps to target kids.

They’re even leveraging AI-generated images, voice changers, and digital masks to hide their identities.

“Some of the individuals have coerced children, teenagers, to give their location: ‘Let me see where you are’,” said Washington. “And sure enough, shortly after, they’re showing up at their doorsteps… or setting up meetings at parks or malls. And then, crazy things are happening.”

That’s why Sergeant Washington urges parents to be present — and stay involved in what their children are doing online, especially on gaming platforms.

“When you ask them, ‘What are you doing?’ and they say, ‘Oh, nothing’ look over their shoulders to see what that ‘nothing’ really is,” said Washington. “Verify the answers they give you. Verify the programs they’re using.”