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The operation began in November and wrapped up late last year. ICE held a news conference Thursday.
"The results were significant, but grim-a sad reminder to us all that online child exploitation is a real part of all our lives and demands our full attention," said Enforcement Director John Morton.
There were interviews conducted in 47 states and six countries.
The lone Mississippi man arrested was identified as Wendell Wayne Hayes of Biloxi. He had been a registered sex offender since 1984 . He wast taken into custody November 15, 2012 while already out on bond for another charge of sexual exploitation that took place in 2011.
Thirteen other arrest had also been made in the New Orleans region, which includes Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee.Morton said the rescues were from 19 states and were from current and past cases of sexual abuse.
Agents used technology to track down predators and rescue victims. In one case agents found an 11-year-old girl after photos of her were posted on the internet. The background included a yellow sunflower unique to Kansas road signs. Authorities drove the roads of the area of the state where the signs were located and were able to track down the girl and rescue her from the abuse. That case gave the operation its name.
