Seven suspects have been arrested in a child sex sting in Florida, including a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer and a retired sergeant, and an eighth suspect remains at large, authorities said Tuesday. It was announced on .
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the undercover operation, Operation Child Protector V, was conducted over eight days in late February by detectives posing as adults with access to children and children online. Detectives filed a total of 27 felony charges against eight suspects.
Edmundo DaSilva, 37, was taken into custody after he showed up at the sting scene after sending a message to an undercover detective offering to pay him $60 to have sex with a child, the sheriff’s office said. DaSilva told detectives that he was married and that he worked as a TSA agent for the Department of Homeland Security.
The other suspect, identified as 41-year-old Larry William Hayes, is a former satellite systems analyst who worked for the U.S. Department of Defense at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa with high security clearance. He is an army sergeant. Sheriff Grady Judd told reporters.
Florida sheriff: Large-scale human trafficking busts include soldiers, teachers
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced Tuesday that eight men have been charged in connection with a child sex sting. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
Hayes, who said he is married with three children, is accused of sending several explicit images of his genitals to an undercover officer and agreeing to pay $250 to have sex with a child.
After Grady was captured, he reportedly told detectives, “I really came to save the girl.”
“He immediately said, ‘I came to save her.’ Well, as a matter of fact, we rescued some children from him,” Judd said.
Florida sheriff tells Congress ‘shame on everyone’ after bust of illegal immigrant in human trafficking investigation
The suspect at large was identified as John Adams, 61, of Dunedin, Florida. Although Adams did not appear at the scene of the undercover operation, he is accused of sending a “vile” and “filthy” desire to have sex with the child, Judd said.
Judd said the suspect, identified as 61-year-old John Adams, is hiding from authorities. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
Other arrested suspects include 34-year-old Brandon Ray, 45-year-old Willie Merrill, 27-year-old Hasan Abu Halemeh, 29-year-old Nelson Ruiz, and 45-year-old Manuel Kanasi. Judd said that there is. He is married and has a son and his two teenage daughters.
Photos of eight men charged in child sex sting. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
All suspects face a variety of charges, including human trafficking, using a computer to solicit guardianship, traveling to meet a minor, and using a two-way communication device to commit a felony.
Click to get the FOX News app
The sting operation was conducted in conjunction with the Auburndale Police Department, Davenport Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, and Hardy County Sheriff’s Office.
