Forty people have been arrested in a week-long undercover sex sting, charged with with various Internet child sex crimes, Osceola County deputies said.
Dubbed “Operation Red Cheeks”, the sting was conducted from January 8-16, with the assistance of detectives, officers and special agents of the Central Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
During the operation, undercover detectives from several law enforcement agencies in Orange, Citrus, Lake, Orange, Sumter, Polk, Hardee and Manatee Counties, among others, posed as juveniles or the parent or guardian of a juvenile to talk with individuals in chat rooms and instant messaging programs on the Internet.
Authorities said, suspects would travel to an undercover house or secondary meeting location located in Osceola County with the purpose of having sex with a child. During the chats, most of the suspects sent pornographic images to the undercover detectives and they also brought alcohol, drugs and other items to the meeting. One suspect traveled from Georgia and another was on vacation from Alaska, but most were from cities in Florida.
The arrests included a head swim coach, a professional golfer on the Senior PGA Tour, an eighth grade teacher, business professionals and consultants, and eight college students.
Authorities also said, all the suspects were arrested in Osceola County.
See Full List of Suspects arrested HERE.
