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A five day operation this month targeting the on-line solicitation of children by sexual predators has already netted a dozen arrests and counting, with charges pending against numerous other individuals and more suspects to be identified. Undercover law enforcement officers posed as juveniles in popular chat groups, social media apps, message boards, and gaming apps and were contacted by adult males who solicited them for sex and/or sent sexual images. The men were arrested when they turned up at specific pre-designated locations for what they thought would be sexual contact with the juveniles. Charges range from traveling to meet a minor for sex to use of a computer to seduce, solicit, and lure a child. “We can never let down our guard for a second when it comes to protecting our children from these sexual predators, who are always looking for opportunities to prey on them,” said Sheriff Eric Aden. ” I want to thank all the participating agencies in our regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force who took part in Operation Night Owl and who focus on this mission daily.” Agencies include the OCSO, Office of the State Attorney, FDLE, Walton, Escambia, and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Offices, Crestview Police Department, U.S. Office of Homeland Security, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and Naval Criminal Investigations Service out of Jacksonville.
There are numerous resources available to give parents practical tips on ways to protect your child from online predators!Here’s a good place to get started: https://internetsafety101.org/predatorsrulesofengagement
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