Child Predators & Online Solicitation
Submitted by Monica Schultz
Operation Autumn Sweep: Five-day undercover operation in Polk County, Florida
Among the most disturbing findings of Operation Autum Sweep was the arrest of 3 suspects for attempting to solicit children online. This highlights the ongoing threat of online predators targeting vulnerable youth.
One suspect allegedly communicated with a detective posing as a minor and expressed intentions to visit Disney. He claimed to be a lifeguard at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, raising concerns about potential risks to children at popular tourist destinations. The operation revealed a diverse array of suspects, ranging in age from 15-61 years old. Some of those arrested were military personnel or Disney World employees, underscoring the pervasive nature of these crimes across various sectors of society. Additionally, 26 of the suspects were married.