MARIANNA, Fla. – A three-day enforcement operation targeting registered sex offenders and predators in Jackson County ended with 21 arrests and the seizure of 18 cellphones, including one that authorities said contained more than 1,500 files of child sexual abuse material.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Missing Persons and Offender Enforcement Division conducted “Operation Sandspur” alongside the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Corrections and Homeland Security Investigations.
Teams checked on 101 registered sexual offenders and predators during the operation, focusing on compliance with Florida’s sex offender registration requirements.
Those checks resulted in the arrests of 18 registered sexual offenders and three registered sexual predators for registry-related violations, according to FDLE.
Investigators also seized 18 phones during the operation.
Authorities said one of those devices contained more than 1,500 files of child sexual abuse material. FDLE did not identify who possessed that phone or say whether additional charges had been filed in connection with the material.
All 21 people arrested were booked into the Jackson County Jail.