TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Twenty individuals have been arrested following a multi-agency operation targeting people who use the internet to exploit children, authorities announced.
The operation, called “Operation Safe Harvest,” was led by the Tallahassee Police Department and involved numerous law enforcement partners including the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Protecting Children’s Innocence Task Force and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The investigation focused on identifying and apprehending individuals who allegedly use online platforms to target and exploit minors. Investigators from multiple agencies conducted coordinated undercover operations and enforcement efforts designed to identify suspects attempting to engage in illegal activity with children.
Authorities said the operation allowed investigators to intervene before any children were harmed and hold offenders accountable.
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said protecting children remains a top priority for law enforcement agencies involved in the effort.
“Our priority is protecting children and ensuring those who seek to exploit them are held accountable,” Revell said. “Operations like this demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement at every level to work together, identify those who prey on children online, and take action to protect our community.”
Officials said the arrests highlight ongoing collaboration between local, state and federal agencies to combat online child exploitation.
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil emphasized that investigators are actively monitoring online spaces where children may be targeted.
“Those who attempt to exploit children online should know that law enforcement is actively working to find them,” McNeil said. “Through strong partnerships and proactive enforcement, we will continue doing everything possible to protect children and hold offenders accountable.”
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard credited the strong partnerships behind the operation for helping deliver results.
“Because of the strong partnerships behind operations like this, these offenders will never again have the opportunity to harm children in our communities,” Pollard said.
FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley also warned that online anonymity will not shield offenders from investigation.
“Adults who target children online are predators,” Carley said. “The FBI works closely with our law enforcement partners every day to identify these offenders and hold them accountable.”
Law enforcement officials are encouraging parents and guardians to remain aware of their children’s online activity and to report suspicious behavior to authorities.
More information on protecting children from online predators is available through the Department of Homeland Security’s Know2Protect program.
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