JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WDNews) – The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office announced that a multi-agency operation targeting online child predators has led to the arrest of seven individuals after a three-day undercover investigation.
The operation, held from September 4–6, brought together state, local, and federal agencies to identify offenders attempting to exploit minors. Investigators posed as juveniles online to intercept suspects arranging to meet children for unlawful sexual activity.
Sheriff Donald L. Edenfield stressed the importance of the effort, saying, “Our children deserve to be safe in their homes, in their schools, and in their communities. Those who prey on them—whether from behind a screen or in person—will find no safe place in Jackson County. We will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to find and stop anyone who attempts to harm our youth.”
The arrests included charges such as using a computer to solicit a minor, traveling to meet a minor for unlawful sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. One suspect, Luis Bautista, also faces an aggravated assault charge on a law enforcement officer, and another, Isaiah Oliver, was on state probation and is being held without bond.
The individuals arrested were identified as:
Tyrese Wright – solicitation of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, unlawful communication device use.
Devonaire Griggs – solicitation of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, unlawful communication device use.
Dani Cordoba-Munoz – solicitation of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, unlawful communication device use.
Luis Bautista – aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, solicitation of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, unlawful communication device use.
Charles Simmons – solicitation of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, unlawful communication device use.
Sandipnhai Patel – solicitation of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, unlawful communication device use.
Isaiah Oliver – solicitation of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, unlawful communication device use; currently on state probation, held without bond.
Officials said two of the men are also under review by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for possible immigration violations.
The operation was coordinated by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshals Service, Naval Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS), Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Lynn Haven Police Department, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Panama City Beach Police Department, Houston County Sheriff’s Office, and Springfield Police Department.
“These arrests are the result of incredible teamwork and commitment across jurisdictions,” Sheriff Edenfield added. “Because of these partnerships, our community is safer, and those who intended to harm our children are behind bars.”
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said it remains committed to protecting the community’s most vulnerable and will continue targeting online predators through proactive enforcement operations.
