The operation targeted suspects that use internet dating and prostitution platforms for underage sex crimes.

All suspects that arrived at the operation location were told the age of the decoy officer was 15 years old.

The seven suspects were charged by the Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office with four charges each:

≤ child sexually abusive activity, a 20-year felony;

James Peterson

≤ using a computer to commit a crime, a 20-year felony;

≤ accosting a child for immoral purposes, a 4-year felony; and

≤ using a computer to commit a crime, a 7-year felony.

The suspects include:

≤ a 61-year-old man from Newberry

Dylan Abramson

≤ a 21-year old man from Houghton

≤ a 41-year-old man from Wallace

≤ an 18-year-old man from Gwinn

≤ a 26-year-old man from Negaunee

≤ a 67-year-old man from Sault Ste. Marie

Vincent Roop

≤ a 62-year-old man from Skandia

Dylan Abramson of Houghton, Vincent Roop of Newberry, James Peterson of Wallace and Hunter Trepanier of Gwinn have been arraigned in the 96th District Court. Probable cause hearings were set for Thursday.

Arraignments for the other three were set for Thursday and Monday.

The multi-agency task force included the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Genesee Human Oppression Strike Team from Genesee County, Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team and the Michigan Intelligence Operations Center.

Television journalist Chris Hansen and his crew with TruBlu crime streaming network imbedded with the operation to film and confront the suspects.

The first episode is expected to be available for viewing on Thursday through watchtrublu.com or the TruBlu mobile app.