OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A three-day undercover operation conducted by the Ocala Police Department (OPD) resulted in the arrest of 15 individuals accused of attempting to exploit children online.

Undercover sting targets online predators

From June 26 to June 28, Ocala detectives posed as minors on multiple chat platforms in an effort to identity and apprehend individuals who sought to lure children into sexual encounters. According to police, the suspects knowingly engaged in explicit online communication with individuals they believed were underage and then traveled to meet them in person.

Arrests span across Marion County and beyond

The sting operation led to the arrest of suspects ranging in age from 18 to 59. Among those taken into custody, six reside in the city of Ocala, seven are from elsewhere in Marion County, and two live outside the county. Authorities also seized seven vehicles during the course of the operation.

Police reaffirm commitment to child safety

“Our top priority is keeping our community safe, especially our children,” Ocala Police said in a statement, “The Ocala Police Department is dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community and ensuring that those who harm or attempt to harm innocent children are brought to justice.”

Charges filed against suspects

A total of 49 charges were filed against the suspects. These include: one count of human trafficking, 14 counts of travelling to meet a minor, 15 counts of soliciting a minor, 15 counts of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, one count of transmitting harmful material to a minor, one count of misrepresenting age, one count of narcotics possession and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Those arrested in the sting are:

Mugshot of a man with long dreadlocks, wearing a red-and-white striped jail uniform.
Bradley Murray, DOB 3/14/1996
Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Mugshot of a bald man with a short beard, wearing a red-and-white striped jail uniform.
Ryan Morris, DOB 2/10/1980
Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Mugshot of a man with short black hair and glasses, wearing a red-and-white striped jail uniform.
Junxiao Liu, DOB 12/21/1989
Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Mugshot of a man with short dark hair and facial hair, wearing a red-and-white striped jail uniform.
Vipkulkumar Patel, DOB 1/4/1988
Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Mugshot of a man with medium-length dark hair and no visible facial hair, wearing a red-and-white striped jail uniform.
Adam Zampa, DOB 9/11/1993
Courtesy: Marion County Sherif’s Office
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Kenneth Cross, DOB 5/25/1966
Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
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Antonio Walton, DOB 2/15/1985
Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Mugshot of a man with short dyed-blond hair and a beard, wearing a red-and-white striped jail uniform.
Aldo Loredo, DOB 5/15/2007
Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
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Rodney Sears, DOB 11/27/1979
Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Mugshot of a man with medium-length dreadlocks, wearing a red-and-white striped jail uniform.
Mykarye Mickens, DOB 11/25/2006
Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Mugshot of a bald man with a beard, wearing a red-and-white striped jail uniform.
Jeremy Goulet, DOB 2/10/1989
Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Mugshot of a man with long dark hair, wearing a red-and-white striped jail uniform.
David Meija, DOB 10/3/1981
Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Mugshot of a man with shoulder-length hair and no visible facial hair, wearing a red-and-white striped jail uniform.
Jacob Harvey, DOB 12/30/2002
Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Mugshot of a man with short hair and a trimmed beard, wearing a red-and-white striped jail uniform.
Jeffrey Stimeling, DOB 5/31/1993
Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Mugshot of a man with short hair and a goatee, wearing a red-and-white striped jail uniform.
Eugene Williams, DOB 4/25/1994
Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff’s Office

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