ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 38 men during two separate undercover operations targeting sex offenders and individuals attempting to prey on children online.
During “Operation Prey No More,” undercover detectives posed as children online, resulting in the arrests of 15 people who arrived expecting to meet a minor for sex.
In a second initiative, “Operation Final Match,” deputies arrested 23 registered sex offenders for failing to report their dating and gaming accounts, which constitutes a felony under Florida law.
A detective with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children unit emphasized that online predators come from all backgrounds.
“The suspects can be anyone of any age. It can be your friend, it can be your neighbor, it could be anyone out there conversing in the world on the internet,” the detective said.
Deputies said suspects arrived to meet minors by car, on foot, and even on a scooter. One man arrested during Operation Prey No More was already out on bond following a similar arrest in Jacksonville.
R.J. Larizza, State Attorney for the 7th Judicial Circuit, addressed the issue of repeat offenders.
“They get out on bond and what happens? They show up in St. Johns County in another operation. These folks don’t quit and neither do we,” Larizza said.
Deputies also highlighted an arrest tied to a Saturday night manhunt in St. Augustine.
Authorities said registered sex predator Kendrick Newby forced a woman into a restaurant bathroom at knifepoint on U.S. one North.
The victim fought her way out and deputies spent about 3 hours tracking Newby after he removed his ankle monitor and ran into the woods.
St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick commended the victim for fighting off her attacker.
“It’s almost like if you read his history, you knew he was going to repeat offend... but we had a female who actually stood her ground. She fought her way out of this,” Hardwick said.
Deputies said their work is not over as the Sheriff’s Office continues searching for two additional sex offenders, Richard Sawyer and Joshua Fulcher.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call CrimeStoppers.
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