OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A multi-agency law enforcement operation targeting online predators resulted in 16 arrests in Central Florida last month. Osceola County Internet Crimes Against Children unit conducted ‘Operation Catch a Con’ between March 18th and 21st.
Of the 16 men taken into custody, 15 traveled to locations expecting to meet a minor for sex. Each of the men arrested faces several felony charges, including traveling to meet or lure a child for unlawful sexual acts and the unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. Additional charges include harmful explicit communication to a minor and criminal intent to seduce or coax. The victims are between the ages of 12 and 16.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office served as the lead agency for the regional task force. Other police departments included Orlando, Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Lake City. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office also provided personnel for the four-day initiative. Homeland Security and the FBI also assisted in the multi-agency operation. The central Florida ICAC Task Force currently includes 67 partner agencies operating across 17 counties.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office announced plans to expand its digital footprint across the Central Florida region to monitor online activity and identify potential predators.
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