Federal law enforcement agencies along with various law enforcement agencies in Pinellas County conducted a criminal sting operation this past weekend. 35 people were arrested. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, which has run nine (9) of these child sex crime stings in the past, also assisted in “Operation Home Alone.”
The charges suspects were arrested for included:
Travel or Traveling to Meet a Minor. These are sometimes called “Dateline – To Catch a Predator” cases. This crime is a second degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in Florida state prison. This crime occurs when any person who travels any for the purpose of engaging in any illegal act described in chapter 794, chapter 800, or chapter 827, or to otherwise engage in other unlawful sexual conduct with a child or with another person believed by the person to be a child after using a computer online service to:
(a) Seduce, solicit, lure, or entice or attempt to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child or another person believed by the person to be a child, to engage in any illegal act described in chapter 794, chapter 800, or chapter 827, or to otherwise engage in other unlawful sexual conduct with a child; or
(b) Solicit, lure, or entice or attempt to solicit, lure, or entice a parent, legal guardian, or custodian of a child or a person believed to be a parent, legal guardian, or custodian of a child to consent to the participation of such child in any act described in chapter 794, chapter 800, or chapter 827, or to otherwise engage in any sexual conduct.
Obscene Communication – Use of Computer to Solicit Child. This is a 3rd degree felony punishable by up to 3 years in Florida State Prison (FSP). This sex crime occurs when any person who knowingly uses a computer online service to:
(a) Seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, or attempt to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, a child or another person believed by the person to be a child, to commit any illegal act described in chapter 794, chapter 800, or chapter 827, or to otherwise engage in any unlawful sexual conduct with a child or with another person believed by the person to be a child; or
(b) Solicit, lure, or entice, or attempt to solicit, lure, or entice a parent, legal guardian, or custodian of a child or a person believed to be a parent, legal guardian, or custodian of a child to consent to the participation of such child in any act described in chapter 794, chapter 800, or chapter 827, or to otherwise engage in any sexual conduct,
Any person who, in violating this subsection, misrepresents his or her age, commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in Florida Criminal Statute 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. Each separate use of a computer online service, wherein an offense described in this section is committed may be charged as a separate offense.
Unlawful use of a two-way communications device. This is not always a sex crime. The crime occurs when any person who uses a two-way communications device, including a computer or phone to facilitate or further the commission of any felony offense commits a felony of the third degree (up to 5 years prison), punishable as provided in Florida Criminal Statute 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
There were also arrests for Resisting Arrest and Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer. Many times these arrests arise when the police take the suspect into custody and attempt to handcuff them.
Due to the nature of the crime and the media attention given to this sex string the prosecutor takes these cases very seriously. In addition, the arrested person is subject to being classified as a Sexual Predator or a Sexual Offender and is subject to the Jimmy Ryce Act that could result in involuntary civil commitment of a suspect sentenced to a prison sentence.
CALL NOW AND SPEAK TO AN EXPERIENCED POLK COUNTY CRIMINAL DEFENSE SEX CRIMES ATTORNEY WHO HAS HANDLED AND TRIED THESE TYPES OF CASES.
THOMAS C. GRAJEK 863-688-4606