DIXIE COUNTY, Fla. – A 31-year-old Illinois man has been arrested following an investigation into his communications and reported meetings with a juvenile in Florida, according to the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office.
Victor De La Cruz was charged with felony transmission of material harmful to minors to a minor by electronic device or equipment.
The investigation began after law enforcement received a report of suspicious activity involving De La Cruz and a juvenile, the Sheriff’s Office said.
As investigators developed the case, they obtained information indicating De La Cruz had repeatedly traveled from Illinois to Florida to meet with the juvenile. Authorities did not disclose the juvenile’s age, the nature of those meetings or how De La Cruz and the child initially came into contact.
The Sheriff’s Office said investigators worked with other agencies and eventually developed probable cause to arrest De La Cruz. The assisting agencies were not identified in the information released by DCSO.
De La Cruz was taken into custody and booked into the Dixie County Jail.
Authorities said the investigation remains active and additional charges could be filed as investigators continue examining the case.
“Protecting our children is one of the most important responsibilities we have in law enforcement,” Dixie County Sheriff Darby Butler said in announcing the arrest.