A federal investigation into a Web site that offered pornographic images and movies of minors has resulted in 125 arrests by federal and local authorities nationwide, according to prosecutors in southern California.

As part of the investigation, dubbed Operation Emissary, federal authorities in southern California charged 14 suspects, ages 21 to 68, on charges of possessing child pornography, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney's Office for that federal district. Another four southern California men have been charged by local authorities.

"One of the unfortunate effects of new technologies like the Internet is the increased accessibility to child pornography," said United States Attorney Debra Wong Yang. "But this has only increased our resolve to pursue those who decide to exploit the most vulnerable among us."

The arrests continue a U.S. government crackdown on Internet child pornography. Last March, U.S. law enforcement announced that 27 people in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada has been arrested on child pornography charges. Internet service providers announced in June that they have banded together to develop technology for detecting and tracking down child pornographers on the Internet. Legislators have been unable to draft legislation that cracks down on the offense without running afoul of constitutionally guaranteed free-speech and artistic rights.

Federal officials did not name the Web site whose investigation led to the arrests.