OCALA, Fla. (CBS12) — A record-breaking undercover child predator operation dubbed Seek and Ye Shall Find Out has resulted in the arrest of 48 people, including six foreign nationals with ICE detainers in Florida.
“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,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier.
This six-day operation, coordinated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), resulted in the highest number of arrests for this annual initiative.
“Parents, we will never arrest every single one of them. You have to know what your child is doing online. And children have to know what dangers are lurking online. As a Sheriff and as a father, I understand the anger and disgust a parent has towards these types of individuals. I assure you that we will continue to attack this plague head-on,” said Sheriff Woods.
The report states that during the sting, undercover officers interacted with these people who believed they were communicating with children aged between 13 and 15.
Many of them made explicit arrangements to meet at specific locations, where law enforcement was waiting to arrest them, per MCSO.
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The operation involved collaboration among several law enforcement agencies, including the Ocala Police Department, the Lake City Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security, and others.
A total of 40 men were apprehended on charges that included traveling to meet a minor for illegal sexual conduct and human trafficking.
Authorities also seized guns, drugs, cash, and vehicles during the operation, and more arrests are expected as detectives continue to investigate.
The report states that the operation revealed that many predators were using various online platforms, including Snapchat, to target minors.
Uthmeier stated that the Attorney General’s Office has filed a lawsuit against Snapchat, accusing the platform of violating Florida laws designed to protect children.
Among those arrested, at least six individuals are on ICE detainers, having traveled from locations like Jamaica, El Salvador, Dubai, and India with the intent to exploit children, per officials.
The accused faces multiple charges, including:
- 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
- Violation of Probation: 1
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