Joint Operation Leads to 16 Arrests for Online Child Exploitation

A total of 16 individuals have been arrested following “Operation Rabbit Hole,” a multi-agency effort aimed at identifying and arresting individuals who use the internet to prey on children. The operation was conducted in partnership with the Tallahassee Police Department, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Marshals Service.

The three-day proactive operation ran from April 10 to April 12, 2025, and was part of the national Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force’s Operation Safe Online Summer (SOS) campaign, which coordinates efforts across 61 task forces and numerous affiliates nationwide.

“Our children deserve to grow up safe, and this operation is a clear message to anyone attempting to harm them online, you will be found and held accountable,” said Chief Lawrence Revell, Tallahassee Police Department. “We are grateful to our local, state, and federal partners for their tireless efforts to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.”

“Operation Rabbit Hole” focused on targeting individuals who used online platforms to exploit children and arrange to meet them. Undercover officers from participating agencies posed as minors online and at designated locations to intercept offenders attempting to meet children for sexual purposes.

“This case once again represents what’s possible when agencies come together with a common mission,” said Sheriff Walt McNeil. “We will continue this fight against online child exploitation with unwavering determination.”

These arrests represent a significant step forward in the fight against online child exploitation and highlight the importance of law enforcement partnerships in keeping children safe, both online and in the real world.

“Let’s be clear, predators who use the internet to prey on children cannot hide behind their screen names – we will find and arrest anyone who seeks to harm our children,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nichoals Ingegno. “HSI Tallahassee, alongside our law enforcement partners with the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Marshals Service, is focused on intercepting anyone who attempts to exploit our society’s most vulnerable people.”

“This operation is just another example of what’s possible when local, state and federal agencies work together to protect our kids,” said FDLE Tallahassee Special Agent in Charge Keith Wilmer. “I am proud of our agents who work every day with our partners to track down these criminals hiding behind computer screens. Let this operation be a warning: if you’re targeting children in Florida, we’re coming for you.”