Ten people were detained as part of a multi-agency child exploitation operation dubbed “Operation Not a Fan.”
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) said Tuesday that it collaborated with the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The investigation targeted suspects who reportedly wanted to engage in sexual behavior with minors. The FDLE stated that over the course of several days, undercover investigators posed as children online, resulting in the arrest of ten men who went to meet what they believed were underage victims.
On October 7, authorities executed the warrants and detained five people in Wakulla County, one in Tallahassee, and one who was confirmed to be jailed in the Taylor County Jail. The remaining warrant was executed on October 8th, when the suspect was apprehended coming to Wakulla County from a purported work trip, according to the news release.
Among the people arrested were:
- Houston Bennett, 38, sexual offender
- Charles Deese, 28, sexual offender
- John Haynes, 41, sexual offender
- Joshua Martin, 39, sexual offender
- Richard Messer, 52, sexual offender
- Sumanth Bala Rayapreddy, 41, sexual offender
- John Sanders, 20, sexual offender
- Spencer Tinson, 56, sexual offender
- Carlton Willis, 63, sexual offender
- Shay Smith, 28, sexual predator
The suspects face a variety of criminal charges, including:
- Use of a computer to solicit a child
- Traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity
- Transmission of harmful material to a minor
All ten persons were arrested, and the investigation is still ongoing. Authorities are advising parents to watch their children’s online activity and report any questionable behavior.
FDLE encourages anybody with information on child exploitation to contact their local law enforcement agency or submit a tip via the FDLE website.