Crimes Against Children Unit Operation Yields Two Arrests

ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque Police Department conducted a day-long operation specifically focused on Crimes Against Children Unit cases which yielded two significant arrests.

On April 30, the Criminal Investigation Division held its third day-long operation as part of a new initiative focusing on a different unit within the division each month. The focus of “Operation CACU” was a proactive child safety operation to address CYFD Statewide Central Intake (SCI) referrals that needed follow-up with high risk families. The cases that the division focused on were families who had five or more SCI referrals, child safety interviews were conducted and may lead to arrests.

The entire division made up of more than 30 detectives worked alongside officers from the Field Services Bureau, Police Service Aids, CYFD employees, Victim Advocates, Crime Scene Specialists and the Digital Intelligence Team.

During the operation, Troy Tortorelli, 54, was arrested on two counts of Criminal Sexual Penetration of a Minor, Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor, Bribery of a Witness, and Intimidation of a Witness. Two children who previously had been removed from the home were taken into custody and are now in a safe residence.

Willey Edwards, 46, was also arrested and charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.

Detectives executed an arrest warrant on Brittney Carr, 32, a mother who was investigated for physical abuse of a child, drug use in front of a child, selling drugs with a child present in a reported stolen vehicle. She has been charged with Child Abuse.

The teams also initiated two new cases, one for sexual abuse and one for physical abuse. In all, more than 20 children were checked up on at various schools and residences.

The monthly operations began in February and are ongoing. Next month, the division will focus the operation on cases within the Gun Violence Reduction Unit.

###