Online sting nabs 30
SUN PHOTO BY SCOTT LOCKWOOD, slockwood@sun-herald.com
Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight discusses the results of "Operation Intercept II" Wednesday in Sarasota. The sting was aimed at protecting Sarasota County's children from online predators. There were 30 arrests made in the weeklong operation from Feb. 8-15.
Christopher Courtney
Ralph Eachus
David Ward
SARASOTA COUNTY — A weeklong sting operation aimed at protecting Sarasota County children from online sexual predators netted 30 arrests, Sheriff Tom Knight announced Wednesday.
The SCSO’s “Operation Intercept II” investigation has led to charges, including the use of a computer to solicit a child to commit sex acts, against men from North Port, Port Charlotte, Sarasota, Bradenton, Tampa, Fort Myers and the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area. Knight said one man traveled to Sarasota County all the way from Port Orange, just south of Daytona Beach on the East Coast. Operation Intercept II follows the initial Operation Intercept that nabbed 30 last May. This sting ran from Feb. 8-15.