Three arrested for undercover child exploitation in Dartmouth

DARTMOUTH – Three men were arrested Wednesday during an undercover operation aimed at the sexual exploitation of minors, Dartmouth police said.

The sting, conducted by the Dartmouth Police Department’s Investigative Services Division and Community Impact Unit in collaboration with the Massachusetts State Police High Risk Victims Unit, resulted in charges against three New Bedford residents.

Ernest Santos, 36, Dominic Medeiros, 20, and David Detorres, 50, were each charged with gratuitous sexual conduct with a child under 18, enticing a child under 16 and attempting to commit a crime .

Detectives working undercover arranged meetings with suspects day and night on September 25.

According to police, several people have made contact.

The operation was part of ongoing efforts to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of minors in the area.