Record-Breaking Florida Child Predator Sting Leads to 50 Arrests
Florida’s Record-Breaking Undercover Sting Arrests 48 Suspected Child Predators
A six-day undercover operation in Central Florida, dubbed “Operation Seek and Yee Shall Find Out,” led to the arrest of 48 individuals—marking the highest number ever in the annual initiative targeting online child predators.
Operation Overview
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the results of a six-day undercover operation in Marion County, coordinated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. This year’s effort resulted in a record 48 arrests—surpassing any previous year of this annual program.:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Key Details
- Duration: Six days of undercover surveillance.:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- Charge Types: Over 150 charges including —
- Traveling to meet a minor for illegal sexual conduct (34 counts)
- Human trafficking (5 counts)
- Using a computer to solicit a child for sexual conduct (48 counts)
- Other related crimes: unlawful communications, transmission of harmful material, resisting arrest, drug charges, and more.:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Foreign Nationals: Six of those arrested faced ICE detainers; they are from Jamaica, El Salvador, Dubai, and India.:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Platforms Used: Predators targeted undercover agents posing as children—many used Snapchat and other social media to initiate contact.:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Law Enforcement Quotes
Attorney General Uthmeier: “They came after children, but Florida and federal law enforcement were waiting for them.”:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Sheriff Billy Woods: Emphasized the need for parental vigilance: “We will never arrest every single one of them. You have to know what your child is doing online…”:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Additional Agencies Involved
The operation was a multi-agency collaboration, involving:
- Marion County Sheriff’s Office
- Office of Statewide Prosecution
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- Ocala Police Department
- Lake City Police Department
- Florida Highway Patrol
- Polk County Sheriff’s Office
- U.S. Marshals Service
- Other local law enforcement partners.:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Why It Matters
This operation demonstrates Florida’s strong stance on child protection and its proactive approach to stopping sexual predators—before any potential victim is harmed. The case also sheds light on the misuse of digital platforms like Snapchat, prompting legal action from the Attorney General’s office against the company.:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Sources
- Florida Attorney General’s Office press release: “48 Arrests, 153 Charges in Record-Breaking Operation” :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
- CBS Miami: “Child predator sting leads to 48 arrests and filing of 153 charges” :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
- ABC/CBS12 reports on the “Seek and Ye Shall Find Out” sting :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}