Attorney General James Uthmeier: “Yesterday, we announced the arrest of over 40 pedophiles, and 7 are now on ICE holds.
Orange County believes they shouldn’t transport these depraved criminals to ICE for deportation at the end of their sentences.
We reject that belief.
Follow the law.”
Authorities said the 48 men arrested used various social media platforms, including Snapchat and dating apps, to meet children in Marion County ranging in age from 13-15. The alleged predators brought cocaine, guns, condoms, alcohol, cash, marijuana and other drugs, investigators said.
Those arrested came from local locations, such as Gainesville and Orlando, as well as six foreign nationals from outside the country in places such as Mexico, El Salvador, India, Dubai and Jamaica. Officials even said one of the people arrested was a student from the University of Florida (UF) on a visa.
The men were arrested on numerous charges, including traveling to meet a minor for illegal sexual conduct, human trafficking, using a computer to solicit a child, unlawful use of a two-way communications device and transmitting material harmful to a minor.
The arrests were a collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Florida Highway Patrol, the Lake City Police Department, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Ocala Police Department.
