A summer-long, multi-agency investigation targeting internet-related sexual offenses has resulted in 27 arrests and 247 criminal charges in Manatee County.
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells announced the results of Operation Safe Childhood on Wednesday, Sept. 2, alongside members of the Sheriff’s Office Child Protection Investigation Division and representatives from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Florida Department of Corrections.
The effort included two separate investigations aimed at identifying offenders accused of violating registration requirements or using the internet in connection with sexual crimes involving children.
One portion, called Operation Match Maker, began in March when the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Unit partnered with FDLE to investigate registered sex offenders and sexual predators suspected of failing to report dating apps, social media accounts and other required internet information.
Investigators screened 105 offenders on probation and identified 40 online accounts requiring further investigation. Detectives ultimately identified violations involving 15 registered offenders and predators. Investigators also reviewed 82 sexual predators and discovered additional online accounts and another offender accused of violating registration requirements.
Tips submitted through Crime Stoppers and anonymous complaints also assisted investigators in identifying unreported social media accounts, email addresses, temporary residences and employment information.
Operation Match Maker resulted in 15 arrests and 115 felony charges. The enforcement phase concluded July 9, when the Sheriff’s Office, FDLE and Florida Department of Corrections Probation took the offenders into custody.
A separate investigation was conducted by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit based on investigative leads provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Detectives obtained multiple search warrants at locations throughout Manatee County as part of that investigation.
Those cases resulted in another 12 arrests and 132 felony and misdemeanor charges.
Charges filed across the investigations include possession and promotion of child sexual abuse material, promotion of animal sexual abuse material, failure to register, knowingly providing false information during registration and violation of probation.
Combined, the investigations resulted in 27 arrests and 247 criminal charges.
During Wednesday’s announcement, Wells emphasized the importance of parents remaining involved in their children’s online activities. The Sheriff’s Office warned that offenders can attempt to reach children through social media, messaging, gaming and other online platforms, making conversations about internet safety and supervision increasingly important.
The operation involved the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Department of Corrections and investigative information from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
More information about Operation Safe Childhood is available through the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
