Dozens of people were arrested following a days-long operation targeting online child predators in Central Florida, state officials said Wednesday.
Attorney General James Uthmeier announced 48 people face 153 charges combined after the six-day operation, coordinated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. This is the highest number of arrests ever made during the annual operation.
“As a father, I am outraged by the heinous crimes we spoke about today. As Attorney General, I’m proud of the brave officers behind this record-breaking operation,” Uthmeier said in a statement. “They came after children, but Florida and federal law enforcement were waiting for them. Thanks to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for putting this operation together so these men were stopped before they could harm a single child.”
Officials said the suspects used various online chat and gaming platforms to target children, most notably Snapchat. Back in April, Uthmeier’s officer filed a lawsuit against Snapchat, claiming the platform is violating a high-profile 2024 law aimed at keeping children off some social-media platforms.
The defendants face the following charges:
- Traveling to meet a minor for illegal sexual conduct (34);
- Human trafficking (5);
- Using a computer to solicit a child for sexual conduct (48);
- Unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate a felony (40);
- Transmitting material harmful to a minor (14);
- Traveling to meet a minor for illegal sexual conduct facilitated by a guardian (1);
- Using a computer to solicit a guardian for illegal sexual conduct with a child (1);
- Fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer (1);
- Resisting arrest without violence (2);
- Drug charges (4);
- Drug paraphernalia (1);
- Reckless driving (1); and
- Violation of probation (1).
Officials alleged at least six defendants traveled from various countries to Florida with the intention of preying on kids.
