Overview
- Florida’s attorney general and Osceola County’s sheriff announced Wednesday that an undercover operation led to 16 arrests tied to online child exploitation.
- Agents posed as minors in chats and on websites, and investigators say the suspects sent explicit messages and arrived at meeting spots believing they would abuse a child.
- The effort was led by the Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office with partners that include Homeland Security and several Central Florida police departments.
- Prosecutors say 15 of the 16 people traveled to meet purported minors, which they target to stop abuse at the moment intent turns into action.
- Those arrested include community-facing workers such as a Disney employee, a school bus driver, a charter school guard, and a hospital aide, and officials warned that more stings are coming as Florida expands child-protection efforts following recent legislation like Missy’s Law.