NMDOJ’s “Operation Overwatch” Sting Operation Nets Guilty Verdict

Defendant Mahmoud Telfah was found guilty in the Second Judicial District Court of two counts including Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device and Meets with a Child, as well as Sexual Exploitation of Children by Prostitution (Hires) (Attempt), by a jury of his peers. Telfah was arrested in October as part of the New Mexico Department of Justice’s successful online predator undercover chat operation “Operation Overwatch.” With the conviction, Telfah faces up to six years in prison. He will remain in custody until his sentencing hearing, which will be scheduled at a later date.

His arrest and conviction is one of more than half a dozen suspected child predators taken off the streets after an online chat operation involving agencies from around New Mexico. The message from the state’s attorney general is: New Mexico will not tolerate anyone looking to hurt children.

“In the last decade online child sexual exploitation and abuse has increased exponentially and is now a global epidemic,” said Special Agent Jason T. Stevens, who is in charge of Homeland Security Investigations.

“As online gaming and social media platforms grow in popularity, predators are increasingly using them to target and exploit children,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “That’s why my office remains relentless in identifying and prosecuting individuals who seek to harm children. This man was arrested after showing up to meet what he believed was an underage child for sex. He deserves to be punished to the fullest extent of the law. We will not tolerate this kind of exploitation in New Mexico—and we will keep fighting to keep our children safe, both online and off.”

On October 8, 2024, Telfah connected with an undercover account posing to be a 15-year-old female via a SkiptheGames ad. Upon confirmation of the child’s age, Telfah asked the undercover account the price of a “hand j,” followed by asking the price of “everything.” Throughout further conversation, a price, location and time for a meetup was agreed upon. Telfah arrived at the designated location the next day to engage in sexual activity where he was apprehended by the NMDOJ and APD.

Agents from the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) spearheaded the operation, with vital support from multiple law enforcement partners. The suspects contacted decoy accounts created by the NMDOJ and assisting agencies. These accounts consisted of underage users and, in some cases, parents who were interested in “offering” their children up for sex in exchange for money. Accounts were hosted on several online sites such as, Kik, SkiptheGames, MocoSpace, Discord, Grindr, Fetlife and Sniffies.

Additional agencies that collaborated in conducting undercover operations, apprehending perpetrators, and carrying out arrests included the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), Albuquerque Police Department (APD), Santa Fe Police Department (SFPD), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Grand Jury Indictment – Telfah

For more information on Operation Overwatch, click HERE.

Officials are urging the public that although they are tackling the issue, they need parents to stay vigilant.

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