Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrests 31 in child predator sting

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s office, with assistance from the police departments of the City of Sarasota, North Port and Venice captured 31 suspected child predators in a sting operation last week.

The agencies involved in Operation Intercept used Internet advertisements and decoy online personas to lure potential child predators to a house equipped with cameras and filled with law enforcement officers.

During the six-day operation, which ended on Saturday, May 12, suspects arrived at the house expecting to meet a child as young as eight.

However, as one officer opened the front door, three masked officers restrained the suspect, according to video footage provided by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

Knight also noted that there were a number of suspects who engaged decoys but did not show up to the house used in the sting operation, the location of which will remain secret. More arrests could come as these suspects are pursued.

“Do we like to hear them scream,” Knight asked. “You’re darn right we like to see them scream.”

Contact Alex Mahadevan at [email protected].