CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Twelve people have been arrested, accused of trying to meet up with a child for sex.
Their mugshots were released Tuesday by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office during a briefing about the undercover “Operation Firewall.”
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Among the suspects are a youth pastor, an active military member, and a college administrator, CCSO said.
Some of those individuals traveled dozens of miles to Clay County to meet up with who they thought were children for sex.
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CCSO, along with state and federal partners, teamed up for the four-day operation.
It was coordinated by CCSO’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit. The goal was to locate and identify people who use the internet to travel and/or sexually exploit children.
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“Our message to anyone who thinks they can get away with exploiting a child is simple. We will find you, we will stop you, we will arrest you, and we will hold you accountable,” Clay County Undersheriff Ron Lendvay said.
CCSO said it is looking for two more suspects as of Tuesday night. In the meantime, investigators are encouraging parents to talk with their children about communicating with strangers online.
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