CROOKSTON, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) – Two northwestern Minnesota men and a Grand Forks resident are among 45 individuals charged following an extensive undercover operation targeting online child solicitors in the U.S. and Canada. The operation was conducted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in collaboration with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
The individuals charged include Telesforo Ragrag, 53, of Thief River Falls, Mark Richard Olson, 45, of Twin Valley, and Kaden Marquart, 21, of Grand Forks. All three are accused of soliciting a child online for sexual conduct. Ragrag faces additional charges for distributing explicit electronic communication involving a child.
Authorities are urging parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities, including apps and internet usage, and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement to prevent online exploitation.