FLORIDA — The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office conducted a 5-day operation, that sought out individuals who chat with “minors” on-line for the purpose of meeting and engaging in sexual activity.
Through the course of the 5-day operation, investigators or “chatters” posing as minors went on various websites to include on-line classified pages, social media sites and various chat rooms. During their online engagement, investigators established rapport with the subjects and developed cases in which the individuals arranged to meet with the “minor” for the purpose of sexual activity. Investigators say in their on-line communication, the subjects explicitly sought out minors for sex.
A total of 15 suspects were arrested in “Operation Wayfarer”. The individuals ranging from 20 to 47 years of age were arrested on various charges to include Traveling to Meet a Minor, Use of Computer Services Prohibited, and Online Solicitation of a Minor. Investigators say that one of the suspects, arrested for traveling to meet a minor, told investigators that he traveled 3 ½ hours from Lake Worth, Florida to meet a 13-year-old girl. Another suspect who was arrested identified himself as a nurse at a local hospital.
The suspects arrested during “Operation Wayfarer” are listed
