OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Parents take heed: not knowing who your child is talking to online can lead to dangerous and devastating consequences.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) held a press conference on July 29 to announce the results of a major undercover operation targeting online child predators. Sheriff Billy Woods was joined by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson, representatives from Sen. Ashley Moody’s office, and numerous deputies and detectives who participated in the six-day sting, dubbed Operation Seek and Ye Shall Find Out.
40 Men Arrested in Child Predator Sting
With help from agencies including the Ocala Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, Florida Highway Patrol, and several local police departments, the operation led to the arrest of 40 men. Some traveled more than an hour to Marion County to meet children, intending to engage in sexual activity.
Many used popular social media platforms such as Snapchat to lure who they believed were minors. “One of the biggest things in this press conference is the message to the parents who are watching, you need to pay attention to your children,” said Sheriff Woods.
“[These criminals] sent disgusting texts, photos, videos – it’s all in there – to do harm to a child.”
Drugs, Weapons and Cash Recovered
Some of the men were found with up to seven condoms, illegal drugs including crack cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana, and alcohol, all intended for use with the children they planned to meet. Several also had weapons and large amounts of cash in their vehicles.
When the perpetrators arrived at the agreed-upon meeting locations, they were arrested by law enforcement officers, Woods explained.
Male Victims Also Targeted
Woods emphasized that boys are just as vulnerable as girls. “The parents out there who have only boys, do not think and do not believe that your sons are not victims in these cases… My goal is to make it clear that the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Fifth Judicial Circuit and the entire State of Florida, we will not tolerate this crap.”
Disturbing Intentions and Federal Involvement
During the sting, undercover officers were contacted by multiple suspects who graphically detailed the sexual acts they intended to commit on children between the ages of 13 and 15. Seven of the arrested men were not U.S. citizens, with origins in Mexico, El Salvador, Jamaica, India, and Dubai.
Charges Filed
The charges include traveling to meet a minor for illegal sexual conduct, human trafficking, using a computer to solicit a child, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and transmitting material harmful to a minor.