by Franklin County, FL – Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Thursday that six men have been arrested in Operation Summer Hurricane, a multi-agency undercover operation designed to catch online child predators in North Florida. The effort, which ran from July 10 to July 12, targeted individuals attempting to exploit children through online communication.
“These predators, including one illegal alien, who targeted Florida children were caught and will face prosecution,” Uthmeier said in a press release. “Thanks to the many law enforcement partners involved, dangerous criminals are now off the streets.”
Multi-Agency Operation Across North Florida
The three-night undercover sting was led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Tallahassee Regional Operations Center Violent Crime 2 Squad and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Agencies involved included the Franklin, Liberty, Bay, and Leon County sheriff’s offices, the Tallahassee Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, the Office of Statewide Intelligence, and the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
Franklin County Sheriff A.J. “Tony” Smith emphasized the significance of the arrests, noting that it was the first operation of its kind in Franklin County, just south of Tallahassee.
“Their dedication and teamwork led to the apprehension of dangerous predators who pose a threat to our community,” Smith said. “Strong partnerships made this effort possible.”
Protecting Florida’s Children
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass echoed the message, stressing the agency’s ongoing commitment.
“FDLE will never stop fighting for Florida’s families,” he said, adding that protecting children from online predators remains a top priority for law enforcement across the state.
Arrests Made During Operation Summer Hurricane
According to CBS News, Authorities released details on the six men arrested during the sting:
- Colbey G. Adams – Arrested by Leon County Sheriff’s Office on charges including:
- Direct/promote performance of a sexual act by a child
- Solicitation of a minor
- Harmful communication with a minor
- Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
- Jarvis Arteza Baker Jr. – Arrested by FDLE for:
- Attempted human trafficking of a minor
- Traveling to meet a minor
- Misuse of a two-way communication device
- Obscene communication to a minor
- Additional Franklin County charges for reckless driving, fleeing with property damage, and dangerous excessive speeding
- William Jared Breski – Arrested twice:
- By Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for failure to register and providing false registration information
- Later by Leon County Sheriff’s Office for: solicitation of a minor, harmful communication with a minor, obscene transmission to a minor, and unlawful device use
- Joshua Heath Lolley – Arrested by Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for:
- Traveling to meet a minor
- Misuse of a two-way communication device
- Christopher Edward Nabors – Arrested by Franklin County Sheriff’s Office on charges including:
- Traveling to meet a minor
- Misuse of a two-way communication device
- Transmission of material harmful to a minor
- Jose De Jesus Salazar Gomez – Arrested by FDLE for:
- Traveling to meet a minor
- Misuse of a two-way communication device
- Homeland Security Investigations confirmed he is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico. A deportation detainer has been placed on him.
Authorities also confirmed that two additional arrests remain outstanding, with investigations still active.
Read Also: Orange County, Texas Crime Sweep: 38 Arrests and Major Drug Bust in Multi-Agency Operation
Community Impact and Ongoing Investigations
State officials say the arrests demonstrate both the effectiveness of proactive policing and the continued threat online predators pose to children in Florida.
“These cases remind us of the importance of vigilance,” Uthmeier said. “Parents, educators, and community leaders must continue to work with law enforcement to protect our most vulnerable citizens.”
Officials also pointed out that Franklin County’s involvement marked a turning point in rural law enforcement operations, showing that predators are not confined to larger cities.
How the Public Can Help
Law enforcement agencies encourage residents to remain alert and report suspicious online activity involving children. Anyone with information about child exploitation is urged to contact local authorities or report directly to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
What’s your take on Florida’s crackdown on online predators? Do you think enough is being done to protect children in rural areas as well as larger cities? Share your thoughts in the comments on ibwhsmag.com and join the conversation.
