FORT MYERS, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida has arrested more than 2,000 people accused of preying on children since Attorney General James Uthmeier took office in February 2025, a milestone state officials say reflects a sharp expansion in child exploitation investigations and prosecutions.
Uthmeier announced the total Thursday alongside state and local law enforcement officials, saying the cases are the result of coordinated work between the Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and agencies across the state.
“Protecting our children is my number one priority,” Uthmeier said. “With over 2,000 child predators arrested since I took office, we are sending a clear message: if you prey on kids in this state, we will find you, arrest you, and put you behind bars.”
The state says the increase has not been limited to arrests. Since February 2025, the Attorney General’s Office says its Crimes Against Children prosecutions have resulted in nearly 693 years of prison sentences — more than four times the previous monthly rate.
Officials also said case filings have increased dramatically during that period.
The cases range from possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material to online solicitation and undercover investigations in which suspects allegedly communicated with officers posing as minors.
Many of those investigations begin online, including through peer-to-peer file-sharing networks, social media, messaging platforms and other digital services.
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said the effort depends heavily on coordination among agencies.
“Florida is safer with the men and women at FDLE doing their very best to protect our communities from individuals who exploit and harm our children,” Glass said. “Our agents and analysts will continue to work with our criminal justice partners and Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.”
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said law enforcement agencies are also putting more emphasis on identifying threats before a child is harmed.
“We are not waiting for a child to become a victim before we act,” Marceno said. “We are investing in training, technology, intelligence, and the people who have dedicated their lives to protecting children.”
Thursday’s announcement also highlighted several recent cases as examples of the types of investigations contributing to the statewide total.
They include cases involving alleged possession of child sexual abuse material and an undercover investigation in which authorities say a suspect sent sexually explicit material to an agent posing as a 13-year-old girl.
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State officials also used the announcement to emphasize prevention, particularly as children spend more time communicating through phones, computers, social media and online games.
“Secure internet habits start at home,” FDLE Fort Myers Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. “While families are getting ready for the school year to begin, I strongly encourage parents to have the important conversations with your children about safe online use.”
The Attorney General’s Office says its statewide prosecutors continue working with local police departments, sheriff’s offices and state investigators on cases that can cross county lines and involve multiple jurisdictions.
Uthmeier said the more than 2,000 arrests show the scale of that effort and pledged that the crackdown will continue.
