Three Men Arrested in North Haven Child Exploitation Sting

Operation Silent Night in North Haven led to the arrest of three men accused of trying to prey on minors, according to police and federal authorities.

The multi-agency sting involved the FBI offices in New Haven and Albany. It aimed to identify and catch suspects allegedly seeking to exploit children, highlighting Connecticut law enforcement’s ongoing efforts to keep young people safe.

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Coordinated Sting in North Haven Targets Alleged Child Predators

The operation unfolded Friday in North Haven, a town that often works with state and federal agencies on tough investigations.

North Haven officers teamed up with FBI teams from New Haven and Albany. They used a coordinated strategy to spot suspects who, police say, thought they were arranging to meet minors.

Authorities say Operation Silent Night aimed not just to make arrests, but to send a message to would-be offenders across Connecticut—from Bridgeport to Hartford, and Stamford to Waterbury. If you try to target children online or in person here, you’re going to get investigated.

FBI and Local Police Work in Tandem

North Haven police pointed out how crucial federal partnerships were in this case. By teaming up with the FBI’s New Haven and Albany offices, investigators could use specialized tech and undercover tactics.

Smaller departments in towns like Hamden, Meriden, and West Haven increasingly rely on these tools to track digital communications tied to suspected child exploitation. It’s tough work, and sometimes it feels like a never-ending battle.

Details on the Three Suspects Arrested in Operation Silent Night

Police say three men were taken into custody as a result of the sting. Each faces a mix of serious felony charges.

The suspects come from different parts of Connecticut’s shoreline and urban areas. All three are accused of trying to commit sexual offenses involving minors.

Law enforcement officials say the charges reflect the alleged intent to meet and exploit young victims. In some cases, they also found illegal narcotics.

Here’s what investigators say about each suspect.

Kenneth Richardson of Bridgeport

Police arrested Kenneth Richardson, 30, of Bridgeport. Richardson faces a long list of charges, including:

Second-degree criminal attempt to commit sexual assault

Risk of injury to a minor

Enticing a minor

Possession of heroin

Possession of heroin with intent to sell

Police held Richardson on a $250,000 bond. The mix of alleged sex offenses and narcotics charges led to the high bond.

In places like Bridgeport and New London, where drug and exploitation cases often overlap, this kind of dual enforcement seems to be happening more often.

Christian Manuel Espinosa of New Haven

The second suspect, Christian Manuel Espinosa, 33, of New Haven, was also arrested in Operation Silent Night. According to North Haven police, Espinosa faces these charges:

Second-degree criminal attempt to commit sexual assault

Risk of injury to a minor

Enticing a minor

Espinosa was held on a $200,000 bond. Police say he thought he was talking to a minor and took steps to set up a meeting—even though the “minor” was actually an undercover officer.

Shawn Stearns of East Haven

The third person arrested was Shawn Stearns, 44, of East Haven. Stearns faces charges similar to the other cases, plus a narcotics-related offense:

Second-degree criminal attempt to commit sexual assault

Risk of injury to a minor

Enticing a minor

Possession of a controlled substance

Police set Stearns’ bond at $200,000. East Haven and nearby towns like Milford and Derby have stepped up collaboration with regional task forces to tackle crimes tied to online predation and drug activity.

North Haven Police Emphasize Protection of Youth

After the arrests, North Haven police put out a public statement about Operation Silent Night. They said the operation was created to find people accused of targeting minors.

Investigators admit these kinds of operations take up a lot of resources. Still, they believe it’s worth it to stop real-world harm before it happens.

The department says it will keep working with federal, state, and local partners all across Connecticut. That includes coastal cities like New Haven and Bridgeport, and inland places like Hartford and Waterbury.

Police want parents and guardians to stay involved with their kids’ online lives. They urge families to report anything suspicious right away.

Here is the source article for this story: 3 men nabbed on online child sexual exploitation-related charges in North Haven operation, police say

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