Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Thursday said that “58 more child predators are behind bars.”

“If you come to Florida and prey on our kids, don’t be surprised to end up in Sheriff Woods’ jail. With nearly 1,700 predators arrested since I took office, we are just getting started,” he added.

More from Uthmeier’s office:

The undercover operation targeted predators who were sexually exploiting children through online chatrooms. The defendants engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the undercover officers despite being informed they were communicating with a child between the ages of seven and 15 years old. The defendants continued to make plans to meet for sexual activity, and were arrested upon arriving at a previously agreed upon meeting spot.

Many of the predators had regular access to children, and included parents and school teachers.

This marks the most successful Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) operation in Marion County, arresting 58 predators as part of an undercover operation that spanned from June 1-6, 2026.

ADVERTISEMENT

The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement officials anticipate further arrests in the coming weeks.

“Once again, the amazing teamwork and determination among all of these agencies involved are sending a clear message to child sex predators that Florida has no tolerance for this and we will continue to do everything we can to protect these children,” said Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods.

“The fact that this many predators are actively trying to prey on the vulnerable children in our community is deeply disturbing,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney.

“My office is proud to partner with Sheriff Woods and Attorney General Uthmeier to continue to conduct these covert operations to apprehend these predators before they cause real harm. Taking these offenders off the streets makes our community safer for our youth. We will relentlessly pursue justice in these cases,” Gladson added.

“This operation reflects exactly the kind of coordinated, multi-agency effort that makes Florida a difficult place for predators to operate,” said Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze.

“Your State Troopers were proud to support this mission with our aviation assets, working alongside the Attorney General’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ocala Police Department to protect Florida’s children. Those seeking to victimize children will face the full weight of the law and the full force of every agency committed to protecting them,” Howze continued.

More below:

WESH noted:

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office described the operation as the largest conducted by the county and one of the largest in the state.

The sheriff’s office is referring to it as “Operation Bad Habits.”

 

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.