Citrus County Operation Boogeyman Arrests 16 Suspected Child Predators

In Florida's Citrus County, Operation Boogeyman resulted in the arrest of 16 individuals accused of attempting to sexually exploit minors online. Led by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit and supported by multiple law enforcement agencies, the operation involved officers posing as minors on various digital platforms to catch predators. Some suspects planned in-person meetings with what they thought were children, and among those arrested were convicted sex offenders violating probation or parole. Similarly, in Texas, Collin County authorities arrested nine individuals during Operation Silent Shield, which included rescuing two teenage girls and investigating sex offender violations. Additionally, a large-scale sting in Hillsborough County led to 171 arrests and the rescue of one teenage girl. These coordinated efforts across different counties highlight ongoing law enforcement initiatives to combat child exploitation and cyber predators.