BREAKING: Sixteen individuals were arrested in a major undercover operation targeting child predators in Citrus County, Florida, just announced by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. This operation, named Operation Boogeyman, involved a collaborative effort from several law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The tactical initiative focused on catching dangerous cyber predators attempting to engage with minors online. Law enforcement officials posed as underage children on various websites and social media platforms to lure these suspects. During the operation, authorities confirmed that many of the individuals initiated contact by sending sexually explicit messages and images, fully aware they were communicating with a minor.
In a shocking revelation, some suspects even traveled to meet the “children” in person, intending to engage in illegal sexual activity. The operation concluded with the arrest of all 16 individuals, including previously convicted sex offenders who were allegedly violating their probation or parole conditions.
“These predators knew they were targeting children and still chose to pursue them. Operation Boogeyman exposed how real and dangerous these threats are in the digital world,” stated Sheriff David Vincent. He expressed immense pride in the work of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit and the partner agencies that helped bring these predators to justice.
This urgent update highlights the ongoing threat posed by online predators and emphasizes the need for vigilance in digital spaces. As authorities continue to address these dangers, community awareness and cooperation with law enforcement remain crucial.
Stay tuned for more developments on this critical issue impacting the safety of children in our communities.
