Clay County deputies arrest 12 men in 'Operation Firewall' child predator sting

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – A four-day undercover operation by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement partners led to 12 arrests of people accused of trying to exploit children online, officials said.

RELATED: 32 children in Jacksonville among 163 located following Florida’s Operation Statewide Shield

Operation Firewall ran July 15-18 and used undercover detectives, analysts and technical support from local, state and federal agencies to identify, engage and arrest suspects who sought to meet or sexually exploit minors, Undersheriff Ron Lendvay said at a news conference announcing the results.

Seven men were arrested in Clay County after traveling to meet what they believed were children for sexual activity, officials said. Five additional suspects were arrested after remaining in place and continuing online activity tied to child exploitation. Investigators said work is continuing on two more subjects.

Suspects ranged in age from 22 to 67. Among those officials highlighted were:

The operation included the FBI, the Flagler County and Putnam County sheriff’s offices, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Orange Park Police Department, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the State Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, the North Florida Intercept Task Force and support from Operation Light Shine, officials said.

“These operations show the lengths some people will go to exploit children,” Levy said, urging parents to monitor who their children are talking with online and to talk with them internet safety.

FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Dunn said the arrests underscore the need for agencies to information and work together to prevent victimization.

Authorities said the suspects used a variety of online platforms and apps, which change frequently, and that investigators will continue follow-up work that can include subpoenas to internet companies.

“Our message to anyone who thinks they can get away with exploiting a child is simple: We will find you. We will stop you. We will arrest you. We will hold you accountable,” Lendvay said.

Carlos Acevedo is a photojournalist at WJXT News4Jax and a University of North Florida graduate with a degree in Communications, concentrating in Digital Video Production. Since joining News4Jax in 2024, he has been responsible for shooting compelling news stories that capture and important events with the community.