Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested 30 suspects during a two-week-long investigation that focused on sexual predators who target children, convicted sexual predators, and offenders who are required to comply with Florida’s registration laws, including current restrictions in place based on their status.
During the initiative, undercover detectives posed as children on social media platforms, mobile apps, and online dating sites to investigate those who prey upon and travel to meet children for unlawful sexual activity.
Detectives also conducted a review of sexual offender/predator compliance with Florida’s registration laws and specifically focused on convicted sex offenders and sex predators with prior child victims within Polk County.
In all, detectives arrested 30 suspects, who face a total of 75 felony and 2 misdemeanor charges which include: traveling to meet a minor for sex, attempted lewd battery, use of a computer to seduce a child, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, transmission of material harmful to a child, sexual battery, burglary, and failure to register as a sex offender.
During the investigation of those who communicated online to have sex with minors, ten of the suspects communicated and engaged with, in a sexual manner, who they thought were children online.
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