Okaloosa County, FL – A two-week undercover operation in northwest Florida has led to the arrest of fourteen individuals accused of attempting to exploit minors online, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
The agency’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit carried out “Operation Dark Harvest,” a coordinated effort aimed at identifying suspects who allegedly sought contact with underage victims through digital platforms.
According to the Florida Sheriffs Association, the investigation is part of a broader statewide push to combat online child exploitation and strengthen youth safety. Sheriff Eric Aden reaffirmed his commitment to protecting local families, urging parents to stay vigilant about their children’s online activity — especially across gaming and social media apps.
“Staying alert and monitoring what your child does online is one of the most effective steps toward prevention,” Sheriff Aden said in a statement shared by the association.
Officials have not yet released the names of those arrested but confirmed that multiple agencies collaborated in the sting. Authorities said the suspects allegedly used online communications to arrange meetings with minors before being intercepted by investigators.
The Florida Sheriffs Association emphasized that operations like this will continue statewide to identify predators who target vulnerable youth.
More details on the investigation and charges are expected in the coming days.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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